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HERMAN, BERNICE GREEN Bernice Green Herman lovingly referred to as Budjah by those who knew her well, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2014, at 87 years of age, at the Indiana University Hospice House. She was surrounded by her loving family, and the remarkable caregivers who helped ease her journey in the last few days of her full life, that she herself rated as a 10 on a 1-10 scale. Bernice was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 8, 1927 to Alex and Rebecca Green. She had two siblings, Betty and Robert (Sonny), who both preceded her in death. She married the love of her life, Simon Herman, who had been a friend of her brother's. Simon took notice of "Sonny's kid sister" upon returning from WWII. Bernice and Simon married in Detroit on June 14, 1947. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1956, which became her home until 7 years ago when she joined her oldest daughter in Bloomington, Indiana. Bernice and Simon's 33-year love affair was cut short by his death in 1980, when Bernice was 53 years old. Bernice would consider herself ordinary, but those who knew her considered her extraordinary. She was warm, engaging, funny when she didn't mean to be, and a lover of people. She did not have a bigoted bone in her body. Bernice was the consummate host making everyone feel welcomed by the warmth of the home she created for her family and friends. She would set the most beautiful holiday tables and her guest list often included a soldier from the Air force Base or student from the local University who could not go home for the holidays. Her culinary talents were widely known and she spent countless hours preparing, and teaching others how to make, Challah, Rugulah, Matzo Balls, Kugel, Knishes, Hamentaschen, Latkes and other traditional Jewish delicacies. In her senior years she took swimming, tap dancing, and ukulele lessons, thought reading a book on a kindle was amazing, enjoyed the theater, and got her first job outside of the home at 67 making Challah at a local bakery two days a week. She loved making pottery and developed her own unique style that she used to create hundreds of plates, bowls, mugs, and serving pieces to share with her family and friends. Bernice is survived by three devoted daughters, Marsha Herman-Betzen and husband Dr. Keith Betzen; Susan Herman-Livingstone and husband Dr. Jeffrey Livingstone; and Nancy Gould and partner Tim VanValkenburg. She has 5 adoring grandchildren, Rachel Betzen and husband Dr. Tom Littlefield; Dr. Simon Livingstone and wife Dr. Kristin Livingstone; Lindsay Livingstone; John Simon Gould; and Megan Gooselaw (nee Gould) and husband David Gooselaw. Bernice is also survived by three doting great-grandchildren, Zoe and Simon Littlefield, and Nicholas Livingstone; her brother-in-law Bernard Herman and wife Renee; sister-in-law Ada Green Robins; as well many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of her life will be held July 19 at the home of Marsha Herman-Betzen and Keith Betzen and Bernice's cremated remains will be buried next to her beloved Simon in a gravesite service to be held at a later date in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Memorial contributions in Bernice Herman's name may be made to: Indiana University Hospice House, P.O. Box 1149, Bloomington, IN 47402; ACUI Education and Research Fund, 120 W. 7th St, Suite 200, Bloomington, IN 47404; Canine Assistants, 3160 Francis Rd, Milton, GA 30004 or the charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be expressed at: IndianaGreenBurials.com
        Published on: Sun July 06, 2014