Beatrice Kriss' Obituary
Beatrice Kriss, affectionally known as ”Bea”or “BB”, was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1924. She was raised by her parents, Eta and David, along with her three older sisters Dotty, Essie and Lea. Beatrice grew up in Newark and loved spending her summers in the Jersey Shore. Years later she met her husband at the Deal Beach Club. She married Morris Blackman in 1947 and spent their honeymoon on Ocean Drive. They had two wonderful children, Eric and Patti. When the kids were little, the family moved and lived for many years in Maplewood New Jersey. Their home was always a place where family gathered for celebrations and holidays as well as “just coming over to say hello”. Beatrice loved to entertain and she took an interest in the lives of family, friends and neighbors. Beatrice went on to create a fashionable and successful women’s dress shop in South Orange, called ERPAT Fashions (after her two children). She very much loved her life in the fashion industry frequently traveling into New York City to select her inventory for the store. Bea and Morris led a very social, recreational and cultural life. They enjoyed opera, golf, playing cards and traveling. They frequented The Harbour Island Spa in Long Branch New Jersey as well as in Miami. Always having a love for South Florida, Bea and Morris moved to Miami in 1978. Rather than fully retiring, Beatrice continued her business ventures by promoting Tiffany and Boucheron perfumes in the local department stores. She was blessed to have five wonderful grandchildren: David, Joshua, Alex, Eve and Laura. In recent years, she became a great grandmother to Max and Vivian. Morris passed away in 1997. This loss was very difficult and challenging. Several years later at a singles social event, she met and later married Hy Kriss. The families blended beautifully and Bea and Hy enjoyed thirteen years of a very happy marriage until Hy’s passing in 2015 at the age of 101. Bea was a devoted and committed caregiver for both Morris and Hy. Bea spent her last five years at an independent living facility called Pacifica Senior Living/Forest Trace. And indeed, she remained fiercely independent until her death at the age of 98. She loved being at Forest Trace and made many new friends in her elder years, frequently remarking that “I feel like I’m living on a cruise ship.” The Covid pandemic and aging made everything more challenging. Nonetheless, Bea was resilient, having experienced life’s adversities over her many years. She celebrated her 98th birthday on September 3, and passed away two days later. Beatrice was truly a very special lady, remaining vibrant and caring until the end of her life. She was deeply loved by many friends and family, who were often so delighted by her enthusiasm and her desire for connection with others, along with an amazing sense of humor. She was passionate about life and will be dearly missed. She frequently said “enjoy all you do”; and she meant every word, cherishing her visit here on earth. May her memory be a blessing. We are all grateful for a woman who gave so much brilliance and kindness to this world.If you would like to make a contribution in honor of her life the following organizations are suggested by the family: 1) The Eileen Youtie Foundation, a local South Florida organization promoting genetic testing, counseling, resources and care for breast cancer individuals, 19946 NE 36th Place, Aventura, FL 33180, 2) American Friends of Magen David Adom, P.O .Box 96402, Washington, DC 20090, 3) Jewish National Fund, www.jnf.org, 4) World Jewish Congress, P.O. Box 70343, Philadelphia PA 19176-9936, https://www.worldjewishcongress.org, 4) Florida Jewish Burial Society, (305) 978-0205, [email protected]. Chapel Service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 12:00 noon at Levitt-Weinstein Beth David Memorail Chapel, 3201 N 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024. Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700
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