Belvy Cooper Furstman

FURSTMAN, Belvy Cooper (90) Wife of respected Doctor, Philanthropist, Mother, Nana Belvy Cooper Furstman, wife of the late Dr. Edward Furstman, died of natural causes in her Brentwood home. She was 90. Mrs. Furstman is survived by her two children and their spouses; Stacey and Henry Winkler and Scott and Susan Furstman. Belvy was the beloved "Nana" to six grandchildren; Jed Weitzman, Zoe Winkler, Max Winkler, Brian Furstman, Tyler Furstman and Amy Furstman. As a young woman, Belvy was a community activist during her days at Glendale High and UCLA. She went on to teach Art class at Beverly Hills High and later, taught 5th grade at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica. She was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority; which helped her to become a vital role in many charities and arts societies. Belvy was a member of the Gold Shield Society at UCLA, an organization of UCLA alumnae who deliberate upon which students are to receive scholarships as well as a member of the UCLA Art Council. She was an active member of the Brentwood school PTA, and a constant volunteer at the Brentwood Library. She was also a member of the Braille Institute and worked in the Braille library, transcribing books and reading to a Rabbi for over 30 years. Among all these things Belvy always said her most important accomplishments were being a loving, devoted daughter to Tina Ponty - and a loving, supportive, devoted wife to Dr. Edward Furstman. They were married for over 62 years after having met as young students on the steps of Royce Hall. They traveled the world together and loved each other to the end. The other pride of her life was her family and friends. A family she held together with her humor, her love and her love of cooking. She was famous for her cooking. People would line up at holiday time to get a jar of her seasoning salt and the cookbook that she wrote was full of incredible recipes. As for her friends; she went above and beyond to care for them - always at a friends door with a homemade delicious bowl of chicken soup, apple strudel or whatever their favorite was. She always gave herself to others selflessly - and her devotion to her husband, children, next-door neighbors and best friends, Dr. Irving and Fran Madoff, their daughters Cindy and Jane and son-in-law Bert Marcano, can never be matched. Belvy Cooper Furstman left behind a lifetime of pleasure, adventures, life experiences, and a true belief in the human spirit that can never be replaced. We will all miss our Belvy, Mom and Nana terribly - "It was a wonderful life" Mrs. Furstman was born December 7, 1915. A grave site memorial service was held at Hillside Memorial Park on Sunday, December 3rd at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that a donation be made in Mrs. Furstman's name to the UCLA Foundation/Gold Shield Scholarship. C/O: Gold Shield Alumnae of UCLA 8328 Reading Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90045.