Bess Heibman Brauner

BRAUNER Bess Heibman Brauner, age 90, died Sunday, April 23, 2006 at the Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Ala. Bess was born in Bridgeport on January 7, 1916. She attended Arnold College, New Haven and served as the women's physical education director at the Bridgeport Jewish Community Center. She then transferred to Teachers College Columbia University where she received her BS degree. When Bess moved to California, she sought and received her MS in social work from the University of Southern California. Bess moved to San Jose in 1955. While living in San Jose, she taught in the juvenile court schools and was director of the Jewish Community Center summer day camps at the Rose Garden. Bess was known for her magnetic personality, great sense of humor and her love of travel and the outdoors. Most people who met Bess left with the impression of meeting a strong and unique person. She had the gift of enjoying life and not taking anything for granted. Her opinions being many, never were so rigid that she was unwilling to change. Our lives have been blessed for having known and loved Bess. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, David and Christine Brauner of Anchorage and Howard and Kathy Brauner of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Raymond Brennan of Scotland; sister, Ethel Becker; brother and sister-in-law, Irvin and Sondra Arthur; grandchildren, Tami Barke, Daniel Brauner, Issac Brauner, Adam Brauner, Noah Brauner, Anna Brauner, Aaron Brauner, Joseph Brauner, Luis Brennan; and great-grandchildren, Kayla and Ethan Barke. Services were held in Congregation Sinai, San Jose on Wednesday, April 26, 2006. Burial followed in Home of Peace Cemetery, San Jose. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Congregation Sinai, 1532 Willowbrae Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125-4450.