Bette Gruskay

GRUSKAY, BETTE (GORDON) Bette (Gordon) Gruskay, 83, of Quarry Dock Rd., Branford, devoted wife of more than 61 years to Dr. Frank L. Gruskay, died at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Born in Bridgeport, CT., Sept. 23, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Jack & Sarah (Schlachter) Gordon. Beloved mother of Dr. Jeffrey (Donna) Gruskay of Branford, Susan (Richard) Warford of South Kingstown, R.I., and Nancy (Mark) Gershman of Boulder, CO. Dear sister of Herman (Mimi) Gordon of Santa Fe, N.M., Max Gordon of Fairfield, CT and the late Harry Gordon. Cherished grandmother of Matthew Warford, Jordan Gruskay, Lucas Warford, Lindsay Gruskay, Jesse Gershman, & Sara Rose Gershman. Family has always been the most important aspect of Bette's life, especially her 61 year marriage to Frank, her life partner and soul mate. After college, she worked as a kindergarten teacher for five years and then, after having her three children, she dedicated her life to motherhood. Her loving example taught her children how to live a purposeful, ethical, joyful life. Her grandchildren brought her a special joy, and she cultivated relationships with each one, recognizing and valuing their unique gifts. She proudly attended her children and and grandchildren's cultural and athletic events. Bette served for over ten years on the Amity Board of Education where she helped to shape the educational experience of countless children. Her other volunteer ventures included the National Council of Jewish Women, the League of Women Voters, the Woodbridge Democratic Committee, the Friends of the Woodbrdige Library Board and over twenty years serving on the board of the New Haven Symphony. In this capacity, she was the co-chair of the Buy a Note Program where she raised over one million dollars. Her other interests included traveling in the United States and to Europe, with a special fondness for Italy, reading, book club activities, playing bridge with friends and following UCONN Huskies basketball. Funeral Services at Robert E. Shure Funeral Home, 543 George St., New Haven TUESDAY MORNING AT 11:00 o'clock with Interment Services to follow at the B'nai Jacob Memorial Park, Wintergreen Ave., New Haven. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 300 Research Parkway, Suite 310, Meriden, CT 06450 or to the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, 105 Court St., New Haven, CT 06510. A Period of Mourning will be observed at 23 Quarry Dock Rd., Branford following the funeral until 7 p.m. and on Wednesday 1p.m.-3p.m. & 7p.m.-8:30p.m. www.shurefuneralhome.com