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ELINOR BERNON ROSENTHAL

1928 - 2020

ELINOR BERNON ROSENTHAL

1928 - 2020

Obituary

Guest Book

BORN

1928

DIED

2020

ELINOR ROSENTHAL Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from May 11 to May 12, 2020.

BERNON ROSENTHAL, Elinor Former Chairman of Garelick Farms Elinor Bernon Rosenthal passed away on April 26, 2020 at the age of 92. She was born April 3, 1928 to Lillian and Israel Garelick in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, but grew up on the dairy farm her father started in Franklin, Massachusetts. At the age of 16, she enrolled at Syracuse University and graduated in three years. A month later she married Paul Bernon, the love of her life. Together they had four children – one daughter, Ronnie Bernon Gallina, and three sons, Peter M. Bernon, Alan J. Bernon and Jonathan R. Bernon. After the tragic and untimely deaths of her beloved brother Daniel, her husband Paul, and her father within a two year period, Elinor stepped in and assumed the position of Chairman of Garelick Farms in 1970. With no formal business background but a great deal of determination, she turned Garelick Farms into a leading brand in the New England marketplace. Elinor believed in giving back and the company has maintained a long history of philanthropic contributions. The YMCA in Franklin is named in honor of the Bernon family. Elinor served as a trustee at Miriam Hospital in Rhode Island, and founded the Elinor Bernon Rosenthal Complex for Lifelong Learning at Florida Atlantic University, which her children endowed on her 70th birthday. She also established the Elinor Bernon Rosenthal Distinguished Lecture Series which has hosted such luminaries as Madeleine Albright, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Community leaders recognized Elinor's intelligence and love of words, and she was frequently asked to do speechwriting for business leaders and politicians. Elinor will be forever remembered as a woman of beauty, grace, wit and humor by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her sisters Carol Bikofsky, Jeanne (Leo) Stolbach, Nancy (Joel) Black, her children Ronnie and Bill Gallina, Peter and Kay Bernon, Alan and Carol Bernon, Jonathan and Amy Bernon, grandchildren Paul, Charles, Alex, David and Jacquelyn Bernon and Andrew and Valerie Gallina and great-grandchildren Tucker, Skylar and Bianca Bernon. She was predeceased by her brother Daniel and by husbands Lawrence Zelkind and Stanley Rosenthal. Elinor was buried on May 3, 2020 in the B'Nai Israel Cemetery in Woonsocket in a private service attended by her four children and officiated by Leslie Gutterman, Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth-El. Memorial donations in her name can be made to the Bernon Music Center at the Berkshire Hills Music Academy.

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Recent Activity

May 19, 2020

Michael Bernon Nulman posted to the memorial.

May 17, 2020

Terry Monkaba planted trees.

May 15, 2020

Simone Taylor posted to the memorial.

8 Entries

Michael Bernon Nulman

May 19, 2020

Dear Cousins, so sorry to just read of your mothers passing. I hope you and your families are all well in these troubled times. Please accept my deepest sympathies. My thoughts are with you. Stay safe.

Terry Monkaba

Planted Trees

Simone Taylor

May 15, 2020

My sincerest condolences to your family for the loss of your loved one, Please except my deepest sympathies.

Jonathan Solish

May 13, 2020

Your mother was a formidable woman. Although I moved away from Woonsocket more than sixty years ago, I still recall her kind presence when we were kids. I recall that she always spoke her mind, which was unusual in those days. Ronnie and Peter--Even though it has been a very long time, I still have fond memories of you both. I hope you are in good health.

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phil baram

May 13, 2020

That she made Garelick Farms into a byword and a powerhouse in New England is in itself remarkable. May she rest in peace.

Tom Wikiera

May 13, 2020

Ronnie, Peter, and Allen,

Very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful, friendly and welcoming person who, along with Paul, were always high on my list of quality people.

Tom Wikiera

Steve Sherman

May 13, 2020

Ronnie,
Although we shared a Garelick connection (my father's sister Sophie being marreid to Harry Garelick), I wasn't aware of your mother's history or kindnesses. I was, however, always made to feel welcome at your house by your energetic and beautiful mother.
For a few months after I was born, we stayed on the farm while my parents searched for housing. I have a photo, somewhere, of my father holding me up with a few milk cows in the background.
One of the brothers was my unofficial godfather.
Your sweet disposition must be a trait inherited from your mother.
She had a rich, full life, but not without tragedy.
I'm hopelessly nostalgic about my Woonsocket days and still visit four or five times a year.
I hope you and your siblings are well.

Steven Levinson

May 13, 2020

Ronnie and Peter.....my sincerest condolences.....
Steven Levinson

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