Bernice Badler Gordon

1920 - 2016

July 1, 1920 - October 15, 2016 Bernice Badler Gordon, a long-time resident of the Los Angeles area, died peacefully on Saturday, October 15, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 96. She was a devoted mother, wife, daughter, niece, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Born in 1920 in Portland, Maine, to Abraham and Sarah Badler, Bernice and her brother Norman spent idyllic summers in Old Orchard Beach. The family later moved to Los Angeles, where she graduated from Los Angeles High School and was an active member of B'nai Brith Girls. She was a stunning beauty with brains to spare. She was both an accomplished bookkeeper and hand model. After World War II, she met the love of her life, Harry Gordon, and they were inseparable. She was a very dedicated and hands on mother to her three children. Harry and Bernice were so involved in the PTA that they were honored with the PTA Lifetime Achievement Award. Bernice was the most generous hostess with impeccable taste. She made every occasion unforgettable, both with her creative culinary skills and social grace. Most memorable were her elaborate jello molds, which were as unique as Bernice. She was active with the Jasons for over 60 years, and was a fundraiser for their charity City of Hope. Most dear to her was the Mitchell E. Gordon Fund, which directly benefits the California Special Olympics. Bernice and Harry, proud parents of Mitchell (1987), have been credited by some members of the Special Olympics that they "helped shaped many of our lives and [were] such an incredible positive influence on us. [They] welcomed us in [their] home and made us feel a part of [their] family." She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Gordon, her son Mitchell Evan Gordon, her brother Norman Badler, and her grandson Kyle Gordon Wroblewski. She is survived by her son, Alan (Betsy) and daughter, Sondra Wroblewski (Mark). She was the proud grandmother of Sara, Scott (Hilary), Evan (Emily), Alana, Nina, Mara and great-grandmother to Jack, Scarlett and Emily. Bernice is lovingly remembered by niece Elaine Fondler and daughter-in-law Mary Lou. She is dearly missed by her several nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends. She was known for her kindness of heart. Those who were blessed to have known her were always greeted with her genuine happiness to see them, as she lived to make others feel loved. She was funny in unexpected ways and extremely loyal. She never gave up and was a fierce advocate for her loved ones. She was the first to arrive and the last to leave, and always ready with a helping hand. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to: The Mitchell E. Gordon Memorial fund (benefitting the Southern California Special Olympics) https://www.sosc.org/mgf/donate or mailed: Special Olympics Southern California Mitchell E. Gordon Memorial Fund 1600 Forbes Way, #200 Long Beach, CA 90810 Services to be held Wednesday, October 19, at 3pm at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.