Bess Liebenson

1928 - 2025

Bess Liebenson
Bess Liebenson passed away on August 20, 2025, one week shy of her 97th birthday. Born in New York City, she was a journalist, interior designer, antiques dealer, and devoted mother of four. She shared a 74-year marriage with her beloved husband, Herman, who pre-deceased her by 1 month.
Bess lived a rich life, filled with passion, discovery, and love. She grew up in a poor but loving family during the Great Depression. Her younger brother Gil earned a full scholarship to study engineering in college, while she and her older sister Mimi briefly attended college before stopping to work full-time. Bess always regretted not finishing college and raised her kids with the expectation that education was key.
Bess possessed a keen eye and boundless curiosity. While raising her family in Stamford, CT, she pursued her interest in interior design and was part-owner of an antique store. After her children left home, her career blossomed into a vibrant second act as a journalist.
For over three decades, Bess contributed freelance articles to The New York Times, covering art, antiques, and crafts. She also wrote extensively for Inside Fairfield County, where she launched the popular monthly series "New York's Mini Wonders: Great Luncheon Experiences." She told stories of interesting people and places and had a magical way of making the familiar feel new. She earned awards from the Connecticut Press Club and the National Press Club.
Bess was devoted to her husband, Herman. In their early 90s they were interviewed on L.A.'s Channel 5 to share tips on what makes for a successful marriage that can endure more than 70 years. Bess's answer: "Love, sex, and conversation." They truly had a love affair for the ages.
Bess cherished her children, encouraging each to find their own passions, whether baseball autograph-collecting, playing competitive sports, pursuing art and theater, or mastering photography. She was pointed but spare in her comments, telling one child after reviewing her mediocre 4th grade report card, "I think you can do better." That singular comment sparked something that eventually created a straight A student.
She treasured her eight grandchildren, inventing whimsical stories with them on her typewriter, making her signature toffee-chocolate-pretzel clusters, and spontaneously breaking into song and dance to elicit a smile.
Bess saw beauty in details that the rest of us didn't see. On a family trip to Death Valley, she expressed delight when the late-afternoon sun created a kaleidoscope of colors on nearby rocks. Nobody else had noticed, making the experience so much richer for all of us.
She had her own unique vision and wasn't afraid to be unconventional. Her outfits were avantgarde and admired by young and old alike. How many grandmas walk around in polka dot stirrup pants, an over-sized top, crazy socks and black Keds? Friends who shared regular lunches with her at Lord & Taylor's were always amused by her favorite combo-frozen yogurt slightly melted with a spoonful of hot coffee. She knew what she liked!
Bess had many friends, who appreciated her warmth, intellect, and singular spirit. She loved going to cultural lectures with Herman and her friends, who also sought her out for her sage advice on personal matters. She was a regular on the tennis court where she occasionally outwitted her opponents with a sly drop shot or slice. She met her best friend, Esther, in 6th grade and their friendship endured throughout their lives. After Esther expressed regret at standing up a date, Bess surprised her by fearlessly approaching him and urging him to give Esther another chance. That small act eventually led to marriage and children for Esther.
Bess was genuinely fascinated by the world. She wanted to know it all and see it all. She was unstoppable-even after a bad fall on a family vacation, she insisted on visiting every museum and participating in every activity. She was NOT going to miss a thing.
Bess is survived by her four children: Jeffrey (Stacey Selden), Diane (Tom Duralde), Nancy (Robert Rex), and Craig (Deannie); eight beloved grandchildren: Matthew (Blake), Peter (Patrick Roche), Erin, Mark, Catherine (Tom Goad), Rachel, Justine (Drew Holden), William Zachary; and two great-grandchildren, Harper and Tessa. She was predeceased by her husband, Herman Liebenson, and her siblings, Miriam and Gilbert Kovelman.
Contributions may be made to: Worker's Circle, a national Jewish social justice organization https://www.circle.org/give, or to Hadassah Medical Center, a world-renowned medical research organization https://tinyurl.com/HadassahGive.