BERNICE MANISHEN FAINTUCH

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BERNICE MANISHEN FAINTUCH Bernice Manishen Faintuch passed away after a brief but courageous battle with cancer on June 15, 2013 in Encinitas, California. She was 90. A graveside funeral led by Cantor Kathy Robbins was held in San Marcos, California on June 19. She is survived by her children Cheryl (Bill) McCartney of Chapel Hill, NC, and Jane (John) Ploetz of Vista, California. She leaves three grandchildren: Jennifer (Lorin) McCartney Obler, Abigail McCartney, and Steve Ploetz; and one great-grandchild, Veronica Obler. She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Pearl (Byck) Manishen, by all of her siblings: sisters Rae Cohen and Esther Zelickson and brothers James, Max, and Melvin, and by her grandson, Samuel Hart Ploetz. Born in Manitoba, Bernice took great pride in her Canadian origin and her childhood community in Winnipeg's North End. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1944 with a degree in Home Economics. However, her real passion was the world of books. After moving to the United States and raising her family in Skokie, Illinois, Bernice returned to school for a degree in Library Science. While serving as school librarian in District 68, she attended graduate school, earning a master's degree at the age of 53. She enjoyed a fulfilling career at Sharp Corner and then Highland School for 27 years. Teaching children was a constant pleasure and challenge to her. Bernice valued family, Judaism, lifelong learning and commitment to community. Throughout her career, and after she "retired", she took Yiddish classes, Chabad classes, was a life member of Hadassah and ORT. She was proud to be a founding member of congregation B'nai Emunah and a longtime member of Temple Beth Israel, both in Skokie, and took delight in visiting other synagogues in the North suburban area. She enriched herself with adult extension courses with various universities, travelled extensively with Roads Scholars (Elder Hostels), ushered at plays, and pursued hobbies of photography and folk dancing. Her community service included volunteer tutoring of immigrants in English literacy, leading discussions in the Great Books for Children program, and visiting the elderly at the Lieberman Health Care Center in Skokie. Libraries were her "home" and she visited often. The family would like to thank the staff of Seacrest Village of Encinitas, California for their loving attention and care during her four months there. Donations in Bernice's memory can be made to any of the many Jewish charities, the Skokie or Morton Grove Public Libraries, the Chicago Botanic Garden, or the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 13, 2013