Norfolk—Bessie Silver Finder, 99, died peacefully on July 21, 2021.
A longtime resident of Norfolk, Bessie was born in Lakewood, N.J. to the late Anna and Harry Silver. After nursing school, she joined the Army Corp of Nursing as a 2nd Lieutenant stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. It was here she met the man of her dreams, Theodor, where he was recovering from WWII injuries received overseas. They were happily married for 54 years until his death in 2000.
Bessie was the last survivor of a family with six blended children. Also preceding her death was daughter, Roberta Finder Schiff and son, David Milton Finder. She is survived by daughter, Andrea Finder Zarge and daughter-in-law, Terry Finder. Bessie is also survived by grandchildren, Jeffrey Zarge and Roni Robinson (Blake), Kevin Finder (Tiffany) and Ryan Finder, Carrie Noriega and Stacey Thiel (John) and five great grandchildren. As well as survived by sister-in-law, Cecelia Reiss, many loving and caring nieces, nephews and friends, especially Agnes Aranyi and the Ivan Schiff family.
Bessie was an extraordinary woman, a longtime member of Temple Israel, where she was very active for many years. She worked with Jewish refugees resettling in this area. She was on the building committee for the Beth Sholom Home. For almost 20 years, Bessie was a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House as the “Head Volunteer.”
Graveside services were held at Forest Lawn, officiated by Rabbi Michael Panitz.
Arrangements by Altmeyer Funeral Homes.
Donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk.