Obituary of Bernice Muriel Schein

Bradenton, Florida Bernice Belloff Schein, beloved wife of the late Donald E. Schein (founder and general manager of WMHT), passed away peacefully in Bradenton, Florida at the age of 93. Known to her friends as Bunny, she was born in Syracuse, New York in 1923. She was a member of the Ellis Hospital School of Nursing faculty for many years until her retirement in 1985. She also held nursing positions in several VA and civilian hospitals and was a lieutenant in the Army Nurses Corps during WWII. She was a graduate of Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital School of Nursing, studied at Boston University and Syracuse University, and held a bachelor’s degree from Russell Sage College and a master’s degree from Long Island University. While living in Schenectady, Mrs. Schein provided leadership to the Alcoholism Council, serving four terms as President. She enjoyed writing short stories, some of which were published in national magazines. She had a sharp wit, an amazing vocabulary and was a stickler for good grammar. Bunny and Don were active members of Congregation Gates of Heaven, where they became adult B’nai Mitzvot. Mrs. Schein won singing contests as a child and enjoyed a life-long love of music. Most recently she spent much of her time reading and cuddling with her cat, Walter. She is survived by four daughters, Andrea Schein and her husband Angelo Veneziano of Boston; Joanne Brooks, (known professionally as jazz singer, Jody Shayne), and her husband Russ Brooks of Niskayuna, Elisa Graber and her husband Michael Graber of Bradenton; and Melissa Cristiani and her husband Tony Cristiani, also of Bradenton. She was pre-deceased by her sisters, Ruth Arones and Eleanor Levenson, and is survived by her brother-in law, Alan Shayne and his husband Norman Sunshine. She will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. There will be a graveside service for family only. Friends are invited to pay their respects at the home of Jody and Russ Brooks, 1918 E. Country Club Dr. in Niskayuna, on Wednesday, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Donald E. Schein Resource Center at Temple Gates of Heaven or to Tidewell Hospice, Bradenton, Florida.