Bea Lemanowitz Kauffman
Bea (Beatrice)
Bea Lemanowitz Kauffman was the fifth of the Lemanowitz daughters, and the first that Jake and Rose had together. She would soon marry Jack Kauffman, and together they had two daughters, Sharon and Bonnie. First Bonnie and then Sharon share their thoughts about their mother:
From Bonnie: When I think back to my childhood, the most prominent person that comes to mind is my Mom. Now that I am a middle aged adult with grown children of my own, I can truly appreciate how dedicated and loving she really was. Although in my teens, I viewed my Mom and Dad as public enemies #1, I always knew, in my heart, that they were always there for me. Thinking back to my childhood, I recall trips every summer to the shore. Mom would be on the beach wearing her wide brimmed sun hat, and of course sitting under the umbrella as not to burn her fair skin. Most memorable, though, were our yearly trips to Lake Peekskill, where my most favorite memories were made.
Mom was forever on a quest for beauty and youth. Her actual age remained a mystery until her later years, when my sister and I were handling her affairs and found the Birth Certificate. Mom’s favorite pastime was shopping. Any item which involved the exchange of money would do, although clothes were top on her list. Let’s not forget the shoes and handbags too. Although her kitchen was closed in 1962, as a child I can remember watching Mom baking cakes, waiting for my chance to lick the spoon.
Mom loved to sing and go dancing with my Dad on Saturday nights. She even talked my Dad into taking dance lessons so they could go to all the lodge functions looking like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Anyone who walked into our house could tell that blue was my mom’s favorite color, maybe because her eyes were such a beautiful blue. Yes, Mom was a beautiful, well dressed woman.
Mom was so in love with her grandchildren. She was so proud of her little girls, she wore them around her neck like a badge of honor. She was sure to tell everyone she met about how beautiful and smart they were.
About a week before her passing I remember sitting with Mom at the nursing home, during our weekly visit, and singing along to the radio. The song that was playing was "Unforgettable"-- and we sang together with tears in our eyes.
I miss you so much Mom. You are truly unforgettable to me
-Bonnie Kaman
From Sharon: When I recall my childhood, I remember going to visit my grandparents in West Philly almost every weekend. Family was a definite priority to my Mom and I was taught that as a very young child. Thinking back to the birth of my sister Bonnie (yes, my younger sister), my parents engaged the services of a nurse to care for Bonnie for the first week home from the hospital. My Mom felt that the woman possessed a likeness to a "Hitler" since she wouldn't allow me to touch or kiss my new baby sister. The day that the nurse left, I can remember my mom cheering and dancing with me as the woman walked out the front door. "Let's go hold our baby", my Mom said to me as she gave me Bonnie to kiss and hold.
I can remember my dating years with fondness since my Mom and I had a secret code that we used when I had a "blind date". I would stay upstairs in my bedroom primping for my date and Mom would answer the front door to welcome the gentleman. If the date was deemed "cute" by Mom, she would shout "SHAR" upstairs to me and I came down to face a pleasant surprise. However, if Mom called upstairs in a loud voice, "SHARON", then I knew that I had to either invent a quick illness or suggest a far away movie or restaurant to avoid being seen with this "unacceptable" guy. When I first met Alan, I remember coming home and going into Mom's bedroom to tell her that I met the man that I knew I would marry. She hugged, cried and kissed me with happiness. What a wonderful memory.
As I faced the darkest days of my life when Alan was dying from Leukemia, my parents always met me at the hospital each evening. My Mom rode with me to pick up Holly and Dori at my sister's house where they spent each day. We then drove to my house where I put the girls to bed. On the ride home one evening, I cried and admitted to my Mom that I just couldn't go on with my life without Alan. Mom made me pull the car over to the side of the road and looked me straight in the eye to talk some sense into me. She said,"You worked so hard to have these beautiful children and you need to be here for them. I am NOT raising your girls, Sharon". I needed to hear those words of wisdom and from that moment forward, I got the strength to face the difficult job of being a single Mom. Thank you Mom for your strength and wisdom.
It was a good decision to move Mom down to Florida along with Bonnie during the last 3 years of Mom's life. My sister and I were able to both be there to give her the love, support and respect that she deserved. I miss her smile and greeting that I always received when I visited her. She always announced me to everyone in the nursing home. "This is my daughter Sharon. Isn't she beautiful?" I miss hearing those proud words now that she has passed on.
My Mom taught me how to be a strong woman in times of undeniable sadness, stress and loss. She was always there by my side to support me emotionally. I will always miss my Mom but, she will continue to live on in my heart.
I love and miss you, Mom.
-Sharon Stein
Sharon also invites you to visit the sites created by her daughters, Holly Lesnick and Dori Diamond to see what’s new with their families and how they’ve grown!)
