Beula Grace Dember passed away peacefully January 7, 2021 at the age of 101. She was the last of her generation in her family, and adored by them all, in addition to the caring staff at the Edgehill retirement community in Stamford, CT.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Lester in 2005. She was also pre-deceased by her sisters Rhoda Dember (David), Felice Neuhoff, and Doris Friedman (Henry).
She is survived by sons Ira Dember (Carondolet), Jonathan Dember (Ellen) , grandchildren Melissa Siple (Robert), Aaron Dember, Joseph Dember, and Dara Rose Dember. Also surviving are nieces Marjorie Leffler (Frederick) , Hillary Stein (Ira), Jo Ann Douglas, Carol Siegel; and nephews Peter Friedman (Caitlyn) and Mark Friedman.
The daughter of Sadie and Ira Bernstein, Beula grew up with her three sisters in Harlem and then Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. She met Lester Dember in the early 1940’s and they were married while Lester was on furlough during WWII. Lester’s younger brother David was introduced to Beula’s younger sister Rhoda, and the younger couple were also married during the same period.
Beula had what is known as a fun personality and was always driven by curiosity about the world. She worked as a young woman for the National Screen Service in NYC, and was supportive of Lester’s work in copywriting and public relations throughout their sixty year marriage. She was a typist, amateur photographer, and expert seamstress. During the sixties Beula traveled with Lester on several European trips in support of his public relations work in the men’s fashion industry. In later years she headed a volunteer group near the family home in Bayside, NY at Long Island Jewish Hospital, knitting gifts for patients.
Even in decline she was cheerful, and smart, opinionated, with a strong sense of humor, and always grateful for the help anyone gave her. Edgehill staff loved her; she'll be long remembered by those who knew her there.
She was laid to rest beside Lester on January 11 at Mt Lebanon Cemetery in Queens, NY, in live streamed gravesite service.
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