Belle Cross

SOUTHBURY- Belle Cross, a resident of Pomperaug Woods in Southbury and formerly of Waterbury, died on March 4 at age 95 of congestive heart failure. She was born on June 12, 1919 in Passaic, New Jersey to Lena and Albert Steinberg. After she married Isidore Cross in 1941, they moved to Torrington, CT where Isidore worked as a metallurgist as part of the war effort. Following the war, she and her husband lived in Brooklyn, New York and Cedar Grove, New Jersey with their children, Alan and Janet. The family moved to Waterbury in 1953 where her husband co-founded Harper-Leader, Inc., a metal finishing company.

Belle was widely admired in the community for her warmth, compassion and energy. Belle worked for many years as school secretary at the Bunker Hill Elementary School. She joined Beth-El Synagogue in 1953 where she remained active until her death. She served on the Board of Directors for many years, was Sisterhood president and received the Shem Tov Award in recognition of her many contributions to the synagogue. She also served as President of the Waterbury Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. For eight years she was a Reach to Recovery Volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She and Isidore moved from Waterbury to Heritage Village and most recently to Pomperaug Woods in Southbury where they spent many happy years with the help and support of the staff and fellow residents.

With Isidore she enjoyed travel both in the U.S. and abroad (particularly to Brazil where her husband served several tours for the International Executive Service Corps as a metallurgist), playing golf and most of all, the company of family, extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband after 70 happy years together, as well as five sisters and one brother, all from New Jersey. Belle is survived by her daughter Janet Hertzmark and her husband Alan from Oxford, CT and a son, Alan, and his wife, Diane, from Chevy Chase, MD, five grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, a niece, Susan Baker of New York and many great- and great-great nephews and nieces.

Arrangements- A funeral service for Belle will take place at Beth El Synagogue, 124 South Pomperague Ave. Woodbury at 11AM on Monday March 9th, 2015. Burial will follow in Beth El Cemetery, Boyden St. Waterbury. Shiva will be held at 7PM both Monday and Tuesday March 9th and 10th at the Garden Room at Pomperague Woods. 80 Heritage Rd. Southbury. Donations in memory of Belle Cross may be made to Beth-El Synagogue, or to the charity of your choice. To view these details online, share a story or condolence, please visit; www.fordfh.com