Bernice G. Allweiss

Bernice Thelma Ginsburg Allweiss - Born October 8, 1930 - Died May 23, 2024.

Prelude---Bea made it very clear that every member of her family knows how she felt about them. Therefore, adjectives of adoration are unnecessary and will not be used. You, as a reader, will simply have to take on faith that she was someone to everyone in her family who everyone outside the family would hope to experience in their own life. We can, however, say she will be missed with shoulder-heaving sadness.

Bea was born in Rochester, NY to Oscar Ginsburg of Riga, Latvia and Anna Ginsburg (born Mishkin). She was the second of two daughters. Her older sister and lifelong friend and companion, Irma Hirsch, predeceased Bea by several years, although Bea found time and energy to discuss Irma and her ongoings long after Irma was gone.

The family moved to Chicago when Bea was 4. The family spent the daughters' school years in Logan Square.

They were never people of means. Oscar traveled selling space in a Yiddish newspaper. Bea was tall. At eleven she was 5'8" and at that age began her long career selling women's shoes, purses and clothes. This is where Bea developed her lifelong sense of style and fashion.

She met Bob Allweiss. They married, and in the early days of their marriage lived near extended family on the South Side of Chicago. For many years they had a wonderful partnership. They entertained, listened to jazz, bowled, played cards, and interacted with a wide group of friends and family. They bought a home in the newly developing West Wilmette in order to send their children to the best schools.

Bea and Bob were parents to three lucky children, Michael, born when Bea was only 21, Allan and Barb all of whom remain very close to this day. They were raised with humor, compassion, and much appreciated parental care. Each smile with gratitude for what Bea did for them, and, in turn, her two daughters-in-law, Stefanie Band Allweiss (Michael) and Emily Corbett (Allan) and eight grandchildren: Erin Allweiss (David Weiner and their son Gideon), Alex Allweiss (Phil Warsaw and their daughter Kyari), Hallie Metcalf (Spencer and their children Jackson and Oliver), Marissa Wendte (Nathan and their son Owen), Anne Alexander, Samantha Allweiss, Connor Alexander, and Ryan Alexander.

Irma and her husband Kurt raised their family in Skokie. Through the sisters' closeness, Irma's three children; Edward, Arlene, and Nancy, became regular childhood companions of, and lifelong friends with, Bea's brood.

For much of her children's formative years Bea was happily a stay-at-home mom - she vacuumed late at night so the house looked good in the morning, which it always did. Her style of discipline was laissez faire mixed with love and infrequent discipline, which she surely doled out with more tears from her than the children. She enjoyed pinball as well as marathon card games with her neighbor and close friend, Estelle. With Bob she taught the kids how to play bridge, which became a family event, and was also a regular feature of their social life with many friends. Later in life she played Mah Jong with friends and with determination.

Bea never had a childhood pet and had never been a pet person, but when a dog was given as a birthday present to one of the children, it was Bea who, after giving the dog away because it ate a couch, then ransomed back the dog and most certainly loved the dog more than anyone else in the house. When any of the children brought home a stray, animal or human, Bea made room for them in the house.

As the children grew she adapted to changes in her life, reentered the work force and used her native intelligence and organizational skills as a bookkeeper, and later returned to the retail world, selling and managing into her late 70s when the forces of time slowed her down.

Bea's being was defined by her love of family, as mentioned in the prelude. Perhaps her greatest gift was how she valued not only her children but the singular nature of each of her grandchildren who, to a person, thought her the best listener and the most attentive ear each knew. She was their confidant.

The service will be private for invited family only.

Please, no flowers. Bea donated to varied causes which found her heart. Should you wish to do so, choose one you find worthy.

There will be a Shiva open to all friends and family at the clubhouse at Normandy Hills, 3948 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 from 4:00 until 8:30 on Friday May 31st. (Please be aware there is significant road construction at the Normandy Hills complex - the family apologizes for the inconvenience. Roadwork will end for the weekend at 5:00 on Friday.). The family will also host an informal gathering on Saturday June 1st to which all friends and family are invited at 4050 Dundee Road (Bea's home) from 4:00 - 8:00 pm.