Bertha "Bert" Feinstein

Bertha Feinstein (n. Persky) 91, of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 13, 2024. An independent spirit, she quietly challenged social norms and supported women's rights. When other moms were still wearing dresses around the house, Bertha sported pedal pushers and dungarees. Bertha was renowned for her dry wit and sense of humor.  Her sarcasm was so subtle at times that many did not catch on.  

Bertha was born on November 18, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Samuel J. Tilden High School in 1950, she went to secretarial school to become a stenographer and bookkeeper. For many years she worked as a library media specialist in the Parsippany Public Schools. Bertha loved learning and took college classes in the 1970s, 80s and 90s culminating in a Master’s Degree in History from Montclair State University. 

Bertha married her true love, Herbert Feinstein (n. Aaronoff) on October 26, 1952. Last year, they celebrated 71 years together. They started their family in Brooklyn, New York and then moved to Parsippany, New Jersey where they lived together for 43 years. They moved into Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains in 2011.

Reading was Bertha’s passion. You'd often find several books on her bedside table including a book or two on her favorite subjects LBJ, the American and English Civil Wars and Irish history, but she also loved a cozy mystery.  

Photography was an important part of Bertha's daily life in Parsippany and on her travels around the country and the world. She enjoyed photographing local events, including crossing lines and going to places she wasn’t allowed because, “what are they going to do? - I’m a little old lady”.  Bertha was a talented calligrapher and a longtime opera lover.  Bertha had a beautiful singing voice, and she often sang to herself in the house. She loved singing along with the family at family gatherings. At home you'd never know when she might break out with a song or sing along with her opera tapes. She also enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.  

Bertha was predeceased by her husband Herbert, her brother Marvin Persky and her daughter-in-law Kathy Feinstein. She is survived by her brother Bernard Persky and sisters-in-law Sandy Persky and Roslyn Persky; three children Steve Feinstein,  Faye Kalmbach, and Jeff Feinstein; their spouses Lucy Li, Arnold Kalmbach and Monica Marchaterre; grandchildren Bethany Walker,  Hillary Romero, Ilan Kalmwood, Arnold Kalmbach, Madeline Feinstein and Robert Feinstein; and, great grandchildren Elia Romero, Roth Romero, and Lennox Walker. 

There will be a funeral service / celebration of life held at 10am November 15, 2024 at Jewish Memorial Chapel, 841 Allwood Rd, Clifton, NJ. The service will also be live streamed https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/106484Sympathy cards may be sent to:  

Jeff Feinstein, 15 Aspen Way, Oakland, NJ 07436

Faye Kalmbach, 236 Curve Street, Millis MA 02054  

Steve Feinstein, 4590 Trade St, Apt 4211, Johnstown, CO 80534

In lieu of flowers, donate what you can in Bertha’s memory, to Bridge of Books Foundation, https://bridgeofbooksfoundation.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/bridgeofbooksfoundation/donation.jsp