Bella Gorin, 104

LENOX, Mass. — Bella Gorin passed away, peacefully, at 104 years of age at the Kimball Farms Nursing Center in Lenox, Mass., on Monday, August 14, 2017.

She was the much-loved and respected mother of Phyllis Gorin Epstein and the late Dr. Malcolm Gorin, mother-in-law to Linda Gorin and the late Edward Epstein, sister to Irving Bialer, Lora Tucker and the late Claire Leslie, and adored grandmother to Daniel Gorin (Lisa), Jeffrey Epstein(Gorana), Stephen Gorin (the late Margo), Sheryl Epstein Knapp (Jonathan), Brian Epstein (Elizabeth) and Janet Gorin Pierce (John), great-grandmother to 14, and aunt and great-aunt to many.

Born on September 28, 1912, to Clara and Isadore Bialer in the Bronx, Bella met her soulmate, the late Louis Gorin, to whom she was married for 59 years. Originally trained as a bookkeeper she later joined her husband, working side-by-side in their butcher shop in New Hyde Park.

Bella will always be remembered as being ahead of her time, traveling into NYC as a young mother to visit the Margaret Sanger Birth Control Clinic (a precursor to Planned Parenthood). A great cook and baker, she was famous for her French toast and Passover Sponge Cake, and excelled in her needlework, especially her knitting and needlepoint.

Shortly after Louis passed away, a broken hip caused her to move to an assisted living facility in the Berkshires, near her daughter Phyllis. She will be sorely missed.

Her family wishes to thank everyone for the wonderful care she received at Kimball Farms Nursing Center, and the loving care she received from Jean Lenihan and Rose Marie Ladley.

Funeral notice: A graveside service will be held at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, Long Island, N.Y., conducted by Rabbi Neil Hirsch. Shiva will be held at the home of Phyllis Epstein in the Berkshires.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.