Estelle Levy Berger

Estelle Levy Berger, 97 years of age, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania died peacefully at Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Scranton, PA on June 17, 2024.

Estelle was born in New York, NY on June 3, 1927 to Samuel Levy and Jenny Roistacher Levy. As a child, she attended school in New York and spent summer family vacations at Bloom’s Farm and Resort in the Catskills. She majored in education in college and also received graduate degrees in Special Education. She attended Teachers’ College, Adelphi University, Columbia University and NYU. She loved children dearly and was passionate about the quality of school curriculum, believing that each and every child be given the chance to reach their full potential.

Estelle met the love of her life, Dr. Steven Berger in 1952 at Maimonides Hospital in New York. Dr. Berger was working as an obstetrical physician while trying to rebuild his life after surviving multiple concentration camps during the Holocaust and tragically witnessing the deaths of several family members. Dr. Berger and Estelle met while he was caring for her sister, Miriam, as she gave birth to her daughter Nomi. They immediately fell in love and married.

Estelle and Dr. Berger couldn’t wait to start a family of their own and their children meant the world to them. Eric Mike (Dr. Eric Berger) was their firstborn son and Matthew Adam (Dr. Matthew A. Berger) followed. Dr. Berger and his family took up residence in several states while he worked as a general practitioner in Maine and later, cared for institutionalized psychiatric patients in New York, Delaware and New Jersey. They were married for 45 years prior to Dr. Berger’s passing in 1998.

While living in Poughkeepsie, New York, Estelle taught special education children at Hudson Valley Psychiatric Hospital. She was a compassionate educator who strived to improve the lives of many children.

Estelle was a very eclectic woman with many varied interests and ideas. She had a great interest in fashion with a very classic sense of style. She was ahead of her time by decades with her zest for learning about nutrition and exercise as it relates to a healthy lifestyle. Estelle became a strict vegetarian years before it became in vogue. She researched food and diet and enthusiastically promoted this knowledge by sharing her views with others.

Estelle had many hobbies and was able to pursue them while living later in life at The Watermark in the museum district of Center City, Philadelphia. She never missed the annual Philadelphia Flower Show and she loved caring for her indoor garden. She loved her adventures around town as she frequented The Free Library and The Philadelphia Museum of Art, shows, concerts, shopping, art and nutrition seminars, bridge games, costume parties (winning awards for her creative costume design) Jewish history exhibits, needlepoint and so forth… Estelle’s energy level was unparalleled.

Although Estelle enjoyed her activities immensely, nothing brought her as much happiness as visiting with her grandchildren and sharing holidays with them. She loved playing games, reading, singing, laughing and discussing their challenges as they matured and became young adults.

Estelle had a soft spot for her furry friends, treating each and every one like the valuable family member they were. She had several pets and encouraged her children to respect and care for all living things. Most notably, the family pug, “No Nose Nanette,” was adored and pampered throughout her years with great tenderness.

Estelle was very friendly and outgoing, cultivating friendships wherever she lived and traveled. Judith Angus, Estelle’s cherished friend and assistant, lovingly cared for Estelle for nine years prior to Estelle’s transfer to The Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania. Judith’s patience and tenderness earned her a spot in the family immediately. Estelle was an active member of Hadassah for many years and a fervent supporter of Israel.

Estelle was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Steven Berger and her sister, Miriam Levy Hessel.

Estelle is survived by her sons, Dr. Eric M. Berger (Barbara Agress), Dr. Matthew A. Berger (Susan Cooper), her grandchildren, Amanda Berger-Fessler and John Fessler, Drs. Joshua Berger and Amanda Harris, Zach Berger and Sara Herr, Jake Berger and fiancée Leyanne Cato, and Zeke Berger. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Audrey Claire and Adeline Ruth Fessler and her nieces, Judy Hessel and Nomi Katz.

Donations may be made to Jewish National Fund at https://www.jnf.org; Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge via bluechipfarm2023@gmail.com; and Magen David Adom - Israeli EMS at https://afmda.org.

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