Farewell to Bess!

Bess Schnipper, 99, of West Hartford, beloved wife of the late William Schnipper, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 09, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital.  Bess was born in Brooklyn, NY and she was a resident of Valley Stream, Long Island for 50 years before moving to West Hartford over 6 years ago. Bess was very active in Hadassah and was an avid knitter and Scrabble player, and had a healthy appetite for chocolate. She loved to travel throughout the world and was a very sharp and humorous woman who was always ready with a witty reply even into her later years. Her son Michael Schnipper and his wife Ida, of Unionville, and her grandchildren Sara and Matthew Schnipper survive her.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Lydia and Regina of Always There Home Care and all the staff at Hoffman Summerwood Community for their compassionate care of Bess.

Bess was our client for over 3 years.  She provided us with many humorous moments with her sharp wit and snappy comebacks.  She volunteered to be my “Jewish mother” last year when she learned my mother had died.  She promised to “look after me” for as long as she could.  A promise she kept until the end.

It was our genuine pleasure to care for Bess and be a part of her wonderful family.   As we age, we each hope that one of our children cares about us in the special way that Bess’ son Michael did for her.

Many many thanks to Lydia Agyekum, her caregiver for the past 2 years.  The special relationship they shared was magical to behold.  Lydia’s never ending patience, humor and commitment to Bess enriched both of their lives.  Lucky is the client who is next in line to have the pleasure of Lydia’s special kind of caring.

~ Regina McNamara ■