nothin Belle Reese, 92 | New Haven Independent

Belle Reese, 92

Belle Schwartzman Reese ran a popular pharmacy in the Hill neighborhood, then spent active, fulfilling decades in retirement with family and friends, in travel, and as an active member of the Jewish community. Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen of Westville’s Congregation Beth El Keser Israel synagogue offered the following eulogy at Reese’s funeral Tuesday.

Belle was born in New Haven on June 15, 1921, and died here on Jan. 17, 2014.

She grew up in the busy household of her parents Abe and Fannie Schwartzman, along with her dear younger siblings, Esther and Norman (may he live and be well), on Chapel Street and Edgewood Avenue. (Not to be confused with Abraham Moshe & Fannie Schwartzman, from Lithuania, who lived on Orange Street in the same era.)

Esther and Norman’s spouses, Ludwig and Roz, and their families were close and important to Belle all her days, and she found great joy in them. She was devoted to caring for her mother.

After graduating from Hillhouse High School, Belle attended the Stone Business Academy in New Haven. As World War Two was underway, she married Lewis Reese, and thanks to her father’s support, she worked in the family pharmacy along with Lewis, while her mother-in-law managed the home. The customers appreciated her courteousness, and it was in good part thanks to her tireless efforts that the enterprise enjoyed some degree of success.

Together with Lewis, she created a loving home for their children Miles and Barbara. After a long day of work, she enjoyed reviewing the day with Barbara, or on other days, going to the beach club. Later, they enjoyed the theater and shopping together.

While Lewis directed some attention to his interests in Ham radio operation and to flying his plane kept at Tweed Airport, Belle devoted herself to her family and friends, and especially in the years after they sold the store, she enjoyed reading, needlework, and playing cards with friends.

Belle was a lifelong member of Hadassah, one of many expressions of the importance she placed on being an active and responsible member of the Jewish community. She encouraged her children and grandchildren in their general education, and she modeled in her own life the value of continuing Jewish education, through her reading and participation in Judaic studies, as well as her all-out efforts to provide feasts for her loved ones on the Jewish festivals, and of course lighting Shabbat candles and observing all the holy days.

After her extraordinary and dutiful care for Lewis during the period of his poor health and his eventual passing, Belle found great pleasure in exploring her own interests such as travel and social activities, as well as life with her loving companion, Wilbur Witten, of blessed memory. For some years, they came together every Shabbat morning to services at Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel, and most often served as the pair of ark openers for the Torah service – people commented on how they were such a nice couple. They also appeared together at Sisterhood functions, and Belle often came on her own to lectures and classes, such as our annual night of study on Shavuot and to guest lectures. She was outspoken, and fortunately for us, rather knowledgeable in a wide range of issues. She held and advocated her viewpoints firmly. It was in this context that I had the great pleasure of getting to know Belle, that is, in the synagogue, during her very active years in our community.

Belle also felt extremely welcome in Wilbur’s family, which was a great blessing to her, and her family likewise adored Wilbur. 

Her children created families of their own, and she was blessed with grandchildren, Heather and Dawn, as well as Elisha and Franklin. She was thrilled to welcome their spouses Adam and Andrew into the family as her own grandsons. She took great pleasure in traveling to Israel with Barbara to visit Heather while she was in school there, and later to visit with her in California. Belle encouraged her grandchildren in their studies, and she enjoyed telling us of their accomplishments.

After Wilbur’s passing, Belle also enjoyed a loving relationship with Herbert Lipshez, also of blessed memory. I can’t say whether or not there were other men in her life, but I can say that the men I knew, Wilbur and Herb, shared many good times with Belle and were part of what made her life happy and good. In these years, her social nature and sometimes even bubbly character found expression in being with people, reading serious books and engaging in serious issues, and enjoying life. She was active, walking in the mall or in a walking club or at the beach, or preparing a meal, or going out, always in motion. Her stable personality, intelligence, and positive demeanor made her a successful merchant, a good friends, and wonderful mother and grandmother.

Belle was truly delighted to see her great-grandchildren, Sarah and Max, Shaunessy, Siera and Joshua. The images of her holding Siera and being with the other children are emblematic of her joy and pride.

Belle faced adversity with grace and courage, promoted and honored education and Jewish life, tradition, and family. She created happiness in her own life, had many customers who respected her and friends who enjoyed and adored her.

During these past few years, which were mostly very difficult, Belle enjoyed the untiring devotion of her daughter Barbara and other loved ones who managed her affairs and absorbed her sometimes intense feelings as her personality gradually dissolved. Her family appreciated the good care of the people at Emeritus Senior Living Community. It is my hope that Barbara, and her daughters Dawn and Heather, and those involved directly with her care, will find some measure of peace in knowing that you did so very much to provide her with safety, care and love during her most trying times, and that through the families that you created, you gave her the greatest sense of joy, hope and fulfillment that she knew in this world. Belle had many friends from her work, social circles, and the synagogue, of which I am one, and she enjoyed the love of her daughter and family. May the life and love that she created be a source of continuing blessing.

Sign up for our morning newsletter

Don't want to miss a single Independent article? Sign up for our daily email newsletter! Click here for more info.


Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

There were no comments