Beatrice Dworkin

BEATRICE LEAH DWORKIN PORTLAND, OR
Born 10/31/1922 - Passed 5/1/2008 Beatrice Leah Steinberg, born on Halloween in 1922 to Joseph and Ethel Steinberg, was so fond of sweets as a girl she was nicknamed ''Cookie.'' Cookie Steinberg became Beatrice Dworkin, but remained a sweetheart until her death at age 85. Bea attended Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH, where she studied Latin and sang in the choir. She attended University of Cincinnati during the war years, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Bea married Harry Dworkin, MD upon his return from the Pacific Theater of WWII, and promptly started a family of three sons: James, Lawrence and Robert. She spent the next 25 years in a whirl of family activities; getting Harry off to the office and the boys to school, Cub Scouts, PTA, Temple Sisterhood, Bar Mitzvahs, cooking, cleaning, driving and mentoring - all the while helping to care for her own mother, father, favorite aunt and extended family. Bea had many friends and innumerable cousins, whose lineage only she could keep straight. Bea was modest and smart. She never bragged, but knew a lot. She enjoyed reading, symphony, plays, art auctions and galleries, tennis, dancing, and classes at Community College. She loved playing bridge and Mah Jong. As the years passed, Bea turned her attentions to daughters-in-law: Nancy, Angela and Sandy; grandchildren: David and wife Christine, Sarah Rose and husband Bob, Jonathan, Justin, Max and Leo; and great granddaughters: Ally and Abby. Bea and Harry moved to Portland, Oregon in 2002. When Harry became too ill for Bea to take care of him, Bea moved into the Rose Schnitzer Manor, and Harry into the Robison Jewish Home, where Bea visited him daily until his death. Bea loved the Rose Schnitzer Manor, and had many friends among the residents and staff there. Bea knew how to have a good time. She celebrated her 85th birthday with family at Andina's wearing a witch's hat and green hair for her Halloween birthday. She stayed up late for the Pink Martini New Years Eve concert to hear grandson Leo sing backup with the Grant High School Royal Blues. She ventured solo through airports across the country to visit family in Chicago, Indianapolis and Florida. Bea was healthy and outgoing all her life, so it was obvious something was wrong when she became withdrawn in February 2008, on here return from one of her cross-continental trips. She was soon found to have a malignant brain tumor, and underwent surgery and radiation therapy. The Dworkin family thanks all the caregivers at Kaiser Permanente, Robison Jewish Home, Rose Schnitzer Manor and Sanai Home Health Services for the excellent and compassionate care given our mother during her illness. Thanks also to Bea's many friends at Rose Schnitzer Manor and the Robison Jewish Home, who have been so supportive during this time. Bea dealt with her illness with the same grace, dignity and strength she showed all her life. She willed herself to stay alive until Passover, when she got all dressed up for a final Seder with family and friends. She died peacefully in her sleep two weeks later, with family at her side. Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery Friday, May 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. when Bea's remains will be laid to rest alongside her dear husband Harry, who preceded her in death in 2004. A memorial celebration of Bea's life will be held at Rose Schnitzer Manor at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Dworkin Family Scholarship Endowment Fund at Purdue University North Central. Checks should be made payable to Purdue Foundation and may be mailed to the Office of Advancement, Purdue University North Central, 1401 S. U.S. Hwy 421, Westville, IN 46391.