Mrs. Ethel Bernson, 99, died Mon., Aug. 29, 2011, at her home in Wayne, NJ, following a brief illness. She would have turned 100 on Nov. 28. Mrs. Bernson was the widow of Dr. Samuel Bernson, long-time physician in the Pompton Lakes area. She was a former president of the Pompton Lakes Woman's Club and a former president of the Passaic County Medical Society Auxiliary, and was one of the founding members of the Pompton Lakes Jewish Center (now Congregation Beth Sholom). Born in Marinette, WI., Mrs. Bernson was the daughter of the late Gabriel and Bertha (Birdie) Esterman. She lived in Green Bay, WI., and graduated from high school in Waterloo, IA. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance languages from the University of Iowa. Following graduation and marriage, Dr. and Mrs. Bernson lived in Harrison, Ark., where Dr. Bernson was medical officer of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp. After World War II, the Bernsons lived briefly in Newark, N.J., before settling in Pompton Lakes. Mrs. Bernson is survived by her son Barry, of New Albany, Ind., and his wife Andrea; two granddaughters, Robbyn McClain (Samuel) of Louisville, Ky., and Mara White (Jeffrey) of Ankeny, Ia.; great-grandchildren Sari and Grant White, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Richard. Funeral services will be held at Richards Funeral Home, 4 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 12 Noon, with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook. The mourning period will be observed at Mrs. Bernson's home, 109 Breckenridge.

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