Bertha Jane "Berty" Nebenzahl

1926 - 2020

Bertha Jane "Berty" Nebenzahl
December 7, 1926-November 15, 2020
Hayward
Part-time Palm Springs resident, Bertha Jane Nebenzahl, known to friends and family as Berty, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Sunday afternoon, November 15, 2020. Berty was born on December 7, 1926 in Mercedes, Texas, the second daughter of Meyer and Dora Nebenzahl. As a result of her daily contact with Mexican and Mexican American families in rural Texas, and as the daughter of one of the few Jewish families in Mercedes, Berty developed a profound understanding of cultural diversity and its power. Berty was quoted as saying: "Early on, I learned that self-reliance is necessary, but making friends and forming meaningful personal relationships is even more fulfilling."
As she entered college at the University of Texas in Austin, Berty's family relocated from Texas to Los Angeles. After graduate school, Berty accepted a teaching position at a school on a military base in Germany where she met her life partner Ruth Talley. Berty's love of travel grew out of European weekend adventures with Ruth and other friends.
Upon her return to the United States, Berty purchased of a brand-new Convertible which she drove from New York to Los Angeles. Berty and Ruth ultimately settled in Hayward, California, where they worked in the San Leandro School District, Berty as a Physical Education Teacher and Counselor. Berty and Ruth enjoyed years of travel together across the United States and around the world.
After visiting Palm Springs regularly for many years, Berty and Ruth became part-time residents in 1994, purchasing an Albert Frey designed condo at the Ramona Villas near Downtown Palm Springs. Through her retirement years Berty enjoyed tennis, dabbled in art and continued to travel the world. Berty was a dedicated volunteer at the Palm Springs Art Museum, greeting and directing guests to the Museum. Berty and Ruth were also generous donors to many worthwhile causes including the Art Museum, the Hayward Area Historical Society, the Alameda Food Bank, Loma Linda University Children's Health and LLUCH Indio Family Clinic, the Well in the Desert, and Chabot College, where Ruth and Berty both enrolled in classes after retiring. While in Hayward, Berty and Ruth devoted time to participating in the Senior Olympics, the Hayward Arts Council and were avid fans of the Douglas Morrison Theatre (and even appeared in the 1984 production of My Fair Lady). Berty was a cancer survivor and a tireless volunteer at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Oakland. Ruth passed away in 2011 at the age of 92.
In addition to Ruth, Berty was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister Micky Wapner and husband, TV Jurist Joseph A. Wapner, and their daughter Sarah Ann Wapner. Berty leaves a host of close friends whose lives have been impacted by her warm spirit and generosity. Berty enjoyed nothing more than entertaining her friends with live music at the Purple Room on Palm Canyon, especially when special friend Trish Hatley headlined.
Berty is survived by her brothers Bernard Nebenzahl (Nancy) of Beverly Hills and Harry Nebenzahl (Marilyn) of San Francisco; and several Nieces and Nephews.
Given the current pandemic, services will be private. Please celebrate Berty's well-lived life by making a donation to The Alameda County Community Food Bank, Inc., Loma Linda University Children's Health-Indio Clinic or a charity or your choice.


View the online memorial for Bertha Jane "Berty" Nebenzahl