Grandma's Obit

I had the privilege of writing my grandmother's obituary when she passed away last month. After working through my family's genealogy for the past 12 years, I've read lots of obits. Here's what I wrote:

Rose Sarah Telles nee Broitman passed away peacefully on July 30, 2011 in West Orange, NJ. She had just celebrated her 93^rd birthday. Born in Savran, Ukraine in 1918, the Broitman family traveled through Bucherest, Toronto, and Philadelphia before settling in Brooklyn in 1929. She married the love of her life, Sam Telles, in 1938 and raised three children.

After Sam’s passing in 1972, Rose moved to northern New Jersey, living first in Lake Hopatcong and then—from 1977 to 2003—in White Meadow Lake. She is best known for the many years she took care of children, first in her home, then at the White Meadow Temple nursery school, and finally at the Chabad Early Learning Center in White Meadow Lake. She spent her final years at the Daughters of Israel nursing facility in West Orange, NJ.

Rose was predeceased by her husband Sam Telles, parents Abram and Ida (Darish) Broitman, sister Anita and her husband Sam Schechtman, brother Aaron and his wife Fanny (Fuchs) Broitman, and brother Joseph Broitman. She is survived by her three devoted children: Phyllis Badanes of Brooklyn, NJ; Stephen & Rochelle Weil of Del Ray Beach, FL; and Marty & Ina (Schrank) Telles of Montville, NJ. Rose is remembered by her six grandchildren (Shira, Eric, Shawn, Jennifer, Selene, & Randi), seven great-grandchildren (Sam, Jonah, Jacob, Sophia, Asher, Paul, & Joss), and many nieces and nephews. Rose is also remembered by the hundreds of families she touched as their children’s honorary Bubbie Shoshanah.

The memorial service will take place at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel (68 Old Short Hills Rd, Livingston, NJ) at noon on Monday, August 1. Interment to follow at Beth Moses Cemetery, Pinelawn, Long Island. Shiva will be observed at the home of her son, Martin Telles (14 Baccarat Ct., Montville, NJ) immediately after return from cemetery (5:30 – 9:00 pm) and from Tuesday through Thursday (2:00 – 9:00 pm).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose’s honor should be made to American Cancer Society.

But, when we brought it to the funeral home, they said it would be prohibitively expensive to publish it as is. So, I quickly cut it down. In the published version, my Uncle Marty became "Mary"! You can find it here.

Rose Sarah Telles (nee Broitman) passed away peacefully on July 30, 2011, in West Orange, N.J. Rose was born in Savran, Ukraine, in 1918 and moved to Brooklyn in 1929. She lived in White Meadow Lake, N.J., from 1977 to 2003 and spent her final years in West Orange. Rose was predeceased by her husband, Sam Telles; parents, Abram and Ida (Darish) Broitman; sister, Anita and her husband, Sam Schechtman; brother, Aaron and his wife, Fanny (Fuchs) Broitman and brother, Joseph Broitman. She is survived by her three devoted children, Phyllis Badanes of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Stephen and Rochelle Weil of Delray Beach, Fla., and Marty and Ina (Schrank) Telles of Montville, N.J. Rose is remembered by her six grandchildren, Shira, Eric, Shawn, Jennifer, Selene and Randi; seven great-grandchildren, Sam, Jonah, Jacob, Sophia, Asher, Paul and Joss and many nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rose's honor should be made to the American Cancer Society .

Published in Star-Ledger on August 3, 2011

The obituary was also published in the New Jersey Jewish News

Rose Telles

Rose Telles (Broitman), 93, of West Orange died July 30, 2011. Born in Savron, Ukraine, she lived in Bucharest, Romania; Toronto; Philadelphia; Brooklyn; Lake Hopatcong; and White Meadow Lake before moving to West Orange in 2004.

Mrs. Telles cared for children as the honorary “Bubbie Shoshanah,” first in her home, then at White Meadow Temple nursery school in Rockaway, and finally at the Chabad Early Learning Center in White Meadow Lake.

She was a lifetime member of White Meadow Temple and a Hadassah Woman of Valor.

Predeceased by her husband, Sam, she is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Badanes of Brooklyn and Rochelle Weil of Delray Beach, Fla.; her son, Marty of Montville; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were held Aug. 1 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

I hope this was a fitting tribute for future genealogists to find!