Norma Benardette

Benardette-Norma

age 72, passed away after a short illness in White Plains, NY. Norma was born in the Bronx and graduated from Evander Childs High School where she was class president. She went on to get a BA in Psychology form the City College of New York and then a master's in special education from Herbert Lehman College. She taught at Middle School 143 where she was known by adoring students as "Ms B". An accomplished belly dancer she took pride in her Turkish-Jewish heritage on her father's side. Her father, Marco Benardette, who predeceased her, was a retired officer of the NYPD, and traced his roots to followers of a noted Sephardic rabbi, Ardette, hence Ben (son of) Ardette. Norma was the daughter of Mildred Klein Benardette, who also predeceased her. Norma is survived by her husband, Charles Blumberg, her sister, susan Benardette Biegen, her brother-in-law Arnold Biegen, and Susan's for daughters; Carol Ann Solarino, Suzie Schultz, Lorraine Dublis, and Diane Schultz. Contributions in Norma's memory may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering, Yad Vashem, and the Simon Weisenthal Center.