Ms. Linda Sue Berns

Linda Berns, 88, a beloved icon of Suffern, NY, passed away on February 22, 2025, after a life devoted to helping others. Her service and dedication to social justice, civil rights, and feminist issues made her a beacon of light in her community. The world is a bit darker with her passing.

Born on September 1st,1936, Linda grew up in the Bronx, the only daughter of Jack and Eleanor Lesser. Linda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Barnard College and spent the early part of her career as a Chemist at Pfizer and a Chemistry Lab instructor at Barnard College. In between marrying her sweetheart from the Bronx, raising 3 children, and earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from LIU, Linda forged a career in public service, both professionally and as a volunteer.

Linda served as the Executive Director of the Hudson Valley chapter of the NY Civil Liberties Union from 1996 to 2012. In addition, she devoted her life to community service, spending over 50 years in leadership of the Rockland County League of Women Voters, acting as Chair and Member of the Rockland County Human Rights Commission, working as a mediator at the Rockland Mediation Center and an Arbitrator for the Administrative Judge in the 9th Judicial District, acting as a Group Leader in the Domestic Violence Program for men at VCS in New City, volunteering as a Docent and Educator for the Rockland Center for Holocaust Studies, Volunteering as a literacy tutor to immigrants, acting as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused children and so much more.

Linda is survived by her daughters Beth Berns and Penni Berns, her son Jeffrey Berns, her sons-in-law Larry Bressler and Mike Epstein, her 3 precious grandchildren, Isabella Epstein, Elena Bressler and Samara Epstein, and her grand doggies Theo and Cosmo. Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin Berns.

Funeral services for Linda will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 1:00 PM at Beth David Cemetery, 300 Elmont Rd, Elmont, NY 11003. Donations in Linda’s honor may be made to the Congregation Shir Shalom's Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, League of Women Voters of Rockland County or Volunteer Counseling Services, 3 of the many organizations that Linda supported throughout her life.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 (845) 356-8600 Jewish Funeral Directors