Beth Goldberg Berne

1926 - 2022

Beth Goldberg Berne

March 8, 1926 - May 5, 2022

Beth Berne died on May 5, 2022, at age 96, in her apartment at Westminster Canterbury.

Born in New York City, to Maurice and Miriam Goldberg, Beth met her husband, Robert Berne "Bo", when he was a medical student and hired to drive her father back and forth from Mahopac, where the family summered, to his office in the city. Beth and Bo wanted to get married when Beth graduated from the Dalton school at age 17, but her parents insisted she wait and attend at least one year of college, so she went to Wellesley for a year. They married the next summer- Bo was 26 and she was 18. After Bo finished his residency, he went into the army and served during World War II. Beth returned to her parents' home and completed college at Barnard.

After the war, Beth and Bo moved to Cleveland for Bo to do a fellowship in cardiovascular physiology at Case Western Reserve before he would return to NYC to join Beth's father's medical practice there. But Bo became enamored with research, so they stayed in Cleveland. After the last of their four children was born, Beth went back to school at Case Western and received her masters in library science. In 1966, the family moved to Charlottesville for Bo to become the Chair of the Department of Physiology at the UVA School of Medicine. Once the family was settled, Beth went to work, first at Alderman Library and then as the head of cataloging at the Jefferson-Madison library, where she worked for over 20 years. Beth, who was always a voracious reader, loved being the first person to receive, and have the opportunity to read, every newly published book that came to the library.

Beth was greatly loved by her numerous friends and family. Both Beth and Bo had a large circle of friends that spanned decades. Although Beth always made time for her friends and family, she also made sure she never went anywhere without a book in her purse. Beth loved her summers in Woods Hole where Bo would work on his medical books, and where they also made time to play tennis and entertain friends and family. Since 1960, Beth only missed one summer at Woods Hole, due to the Covid pandemic.

Beth laughed easily, and often, including at herself. After sharing some news, she would typically say, "But I wouldn't trust me on that," and, in fact, in her later years, her stories were often less than accurate. She never complained or expected others to do for her, but she was clear and determined about what she would and wouldn't do. In the last two years, her apartment walls were covered with signs from the staff, all well intended, telling her such things as, "Don't take your scooter in the bathroom" and "Wear shoes," all of which she paid no attention to whatsoever.

Beth was preceded in death by Bo, her husband of 57 years, and her grandson, Alex Kaminshine. She is survived by her older sister, Ruth Jaskow of White Plains, N.Y.; her four children, Julie Speasmaker (Phil) of Charlottesville, Amy Berne (Rick) of Atlanta, Gordon Berne (Helene) of Charlottesville, and Michael Berne (Mary) of Boston. She had seven grandchildren, Sarah Kaminshine, Maggie Speasmaker Mayfield, Molly Speasmaker Samuels, Chris Speasmaker (Kelli), Ari Berne, Kaya Berne and Kayla Berne, as well as eight great- grandchildren.

The family wants to thank the staff of Catered Living II for their compassionate care, especially the past month. A private family graveside service will take place at a later date. Contributions in honor of Beth can be made to the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Fund at https://www.cvrc.virginia.edu/giving or by mail to the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, P.O. Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA 22908.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hillandwood.com.