Bertha Greenhut

FALMOUTH – Bertha Greenhut died peacefully on Jan. 11, 2018, at Falmouth House, in Falmouth, after a long and rich life.
Born in New York City, on March 18, 1919, she was the daughter of Herman and Rose Smith, sister of Sidney Smith, and sister-in-law of Doris Smith. Bert met the love of her life, Joseph Greenhut, at summer camp in Vermont, where both were waterfront counselors. They married on Feb. 8, 1944. Joseph passed away on their 46th wedding anniversary in 1990.
Bert is survived by her son, John (Chris); and daughter, Peggy; grandsons, Max (Suzie) and Alex; great-grandchildren, Gus and Imogen; niece, Carol (Steven); nephew, Robert (Michelle); and their wonderful families, who were everything to Bert.
Bert graduated from Hunter College with a B.S. in mathematics and later received a master’s degree in education from NYU. She was a dedicated teacher who taught for 25 years at P.S. 202 in Brooklyn, New York. As the reading specialist for her school, Bert inspired children to love reading as much as she did.
Bert was deeply curious and engaged throughout her life. She was a world traveler, visiting Tibet, Butan, Turkey, Europe, Mexico, South America, China, and destinations throughout the U.S. She slept in the desert with the Bedouins on her trip to Israel, flew over glaciers in a two-seater plane in Alaska, climbed Machu Picchu in Peru twice, and explored the pyramids in Egypt.
Bert was a true New Yorker and loved the city, where she frequently went to opera, theater, concerts, museums, and restaurants. She was a voracious reader, an expert knitter, a docent at Coe Hall on Long Island, New York, a duplicate bridge player, and a masterful cook and baker. Above all, she took deep pride and endless satisfaction in sharing these things with her husband, family, and friends.
Bert lived and loved with profound generosity and joy. Her life will be celebrated and her presence greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known her.
A private graveside service will be held in New York on Sunday, Jan. 14. Friends are invited to pay their condolences at the home of Peggy Greenhut Golden, 22 Birch Lane in Cumberland Foreside, Maine, on Monday and Tuesday nights from 6-8 p.m.; or at the home of John Greenhut, 267 South Main Ave., Albany, New York, on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6-8 p.m. Arrangements are by the Portland Jewish Funeral Home.