$INEBERG Ebloom., Betty $aye

It is with unimaginable sorrow and too many tears that we sadly report the death of our mother, Bubbe and Big Bubbe Betty Faye Fineberg (Bloom) in Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 11, 2024, at the age of 95. Betty was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Eliot, in 2018, and her son Victor in 2022. She leaves behind her daughter, Anita; daughter-in-law, Sybil (Shore); grandchildren, Lauren and Max (Kennedi); and great-granddaughter, Ellia. But she leaves behind so much more than her descendants. Betty was born to Chai and Lazar Bloom, the youngest of seven children in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1929 – the year the great depressions began. Betty always said, quoting Charles Dickens that “it was the best of times (she was born) and the worst of times (the depression began)”. She married the love of her life Eliot Fineberg in Halifax in 1951. She was a woman before her time who worked as a medical secretary to a psychiatrist and ran a household in which good food, good times, family and friends was the focus of her life. Over the years Betty’s house was the second home for numerous university students and newcomers to Halifax. She was a pillar of the Halifax Jewish community, B’nai Brith, and when still able to do so, volunteered on a number of synagogue committees, particularly those related to social events where her hosting and prowess in the kitchen shone. When Eliot passed away in 2018, Betty insisted that she remain living by herself in the condo they had shared. Although her health was not great, the impact of COVID19 exacerbated her lonelinessthe inability to see her family and friends, play mahjong, participate in book club and the Rabbi’s weekly sessions. Nonetheless, Betty’s day always began with her morning call with late son Victor and hours spent discussing books and politics with her daughter Anita. At heart, Betty was the glue that held our small but far-flung family of nieces, nephews and cousins together, the person who always kept in touch, made peace, celebrated the mitzvas and honoured the yahrzeits of those who passed before. Without her, we would not have remained the connected family we are today. Betty was a true lady in all senses of the word: she was loved by and will be missed by many. Funeral Services will be held on at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street on Monday, April 15 at 12 p.m., followed by the Interment at the Jewish Cemetery located on Connaught Avenue in Halifax and the commencement of Shiva at 1430 Summer Street, #1430. Shiva Services and Visitation will be held at 1430 Summer Street, #1403 on Monday, April 15 Services: 6:30 p.m. Visitation: after the funeral and 6:30-8 p.m.; Tuesday, April 16 - Thursday, April 18 Services: 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Visitation: 2-4 p.m., and 6-8 p.m.; Friday, April 19 Services: 7:30 a.m. Visitation: 2:30-4 p.m.