The Westport Local Press

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Sarey Frankel Bernstein, 85, Died; Westport News Writer, Creative Mind

Sarey Frankel Bernstein died on August 30, at 85 years of age, at her home in Stamford, CT. Sarey was born on December 2, 1935, to Lillian Bunis Frankel and Harold Frankel of Stamford, CT.


Sarey is survived by her husband, Attorney Samuel J. Bernstein; her son, Rabbi and Attorney Harold Frankel Bernstein (Darona Bernstein, spouse); daughter, Cathy Bernstein (Bud Freund, spouse); her grandchildren, Leora Hauptman (Yaakov Hauptman, spouse), Frances Nagel (Joshua Nagel, spouse), Robert Bernstein, Hannah Freund and Charlotte Freund; as well as her three great-grandchildren, Ezra, Lilly, and Donny Hauptman. She is also survived by her first cousins, Lewis Cherniack and Susan Cherniack Wise; her nephew, Henry (Hank) Mantell; and nieces, Patti Mantell Broad and Lis Mantell.


Sarey, a long-time resident of Stamford, was the granddaughter of Hyman and Sarah Frankel of Stamford. Her grandfather, Hyman Frankel, was the founder of H. Frankel and Sons, Clothiers. Her grandfather was also a founding member of the 100-year-old Jewish Center of Stamford.


Sarey was an alumna of Low-Heywood School of Stamford, CT, where she was the Editor of Hey-Day, the school newspaper, and a member of the Drama and Glee Clubs. Sarey Bernstein also attended Connecticut College for Women in New London, CT and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Journalism from Bridgeport University, Bridgeport, CT. Sarey was a former theater critic and the Public Relations Director of The Oceanic Society, a Stamford and California based environmental non-profit. She went onto become a feature writer for The Westport News and its affiliates in Darien, Fairfield, and Norwalk, as well as a contributing feature writer to The Stamford Advocate. She was also a member of Women-In-Communications (W.I.C.S.), the Fairfield Division of Presswomen, and The Outer Critics Circle. Sarey was also a member of B'nai Brith and Agudath Shalom Synagogue in Stamford, CT (since 1955).


Sarey was an avid reader and loved to paint in watercolors. She was very creative, and she and her husband, Samuel, enjoyed many years together taking trips to the theater, concerts, and museums. Sarey grew up in the Shippan neighborhood of Stamford and loved to spend time by the ocean in one of her favorite spots in Newport, Rhode Island, and at the Stamford Yacht Club in Shippan. She also loved amusing her family with funny stories and poems.


Above all else, Sarey treasured her relationship with her five grandchildren and sharing in their achievements. Contributions in her memory can be made to: The Library of New Canaan, CT, Children's Department.