Francine Berger

Francine Harriet Berger passed away and left for her greatest adventure on August 1, 2023. She was 92 years old. She passed from natural causes of living life to its fullest. To sum up Fran‘s life in only a few paragraphs would be an impossible task.

Fran was born to Benjamin and Anna Cohen in the Bronx, New York in 1931. She stayed in the Bronx and graduated high school at 16 years old. At this point she went to work in Manhattan’s garment district as a bookkeeper. She loved to travel and always went anywhere she could go.

On one of her trips up to the Catskills to enjoy the summer with her friends she met Bertram David Berger. It was love at first sight. Bert drove her home from the Catskills and carried her bags up. Upon entering, Fran’s father thought he was the taxi driver and tried to pay him. They had a good laugh when they explained that he was her boyfriend and they met up in the Catskills. After a short romance and engagement, they started their lives together as husband and wife.

After moving to Queens, they were blessed with their son, Robert. Five years later their son Richard came along and three years after that their daughter, Diane. They raised their children in New Hyde Park, New York.

Fran had one sister Shirley, who she was very very close to. They grew up sleeping in the same bed. They were never apart until Shirley married. Shirley also lived on Long Island and they maintained a very very close relationship all through their lives.

Fran had several jobs as a bookkeeper and finally ended up working for Gould Investors Trust in Great Neck. She was actively involved in her local Temple. In her later years, she remained active getting involved with the National Counsel of Jewish Women, as well as an integral part of Project Independence.

While maintaining a career, she was a loving wife and mother. She always put her family and children first. She made sure they had everything they needed to be successful. Robert went into the army and became an Airborne Green Beret Medic. He then started a successful contracting business. Richard went on to become a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon. Diane went on to become an attorney.

Fran’s children always remained a focus of her life. She was blessed with six grandchildren who she adored. Robert's children, Benjamin and Sarah. Richard’s children, Alicia and Allison. Diane’s children, Nicholas and Peter. She was also blessed with two great grandchildren, Riley and Logan by Sarah. Fran spent most of her retirement years spending as much time as she could with her family when she was not traveling around the world.

In addition to family, Fran’s love in life was traveling. She traveled all over the world. Fran enjoyed meeting people and absorbing the culture. She made a lot of friends along the way. She lived an amazing life.

Fran was a warm and loving person who accepted everyone and everything. She will be greatly missed by anyone who knew her.

A funeral service for Francine will be held Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Sinai Chapels, 114-03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375.