Beverly Smernoff
Beverly Jo Smernoff passed away Dec. 31, 2021. She was 88. Services were organized by Shalom Funeral Services, and held at Mt. Nebo Cemetery on Jan. 7, 2022. Rabbi Richard Rheins officiated.
Mrs. Smernoff grew up in Moore and Stillwater, Okla. After WW II, her family moved to Denver, where she attended South High School. After attending Colorado Women’s College and the University of Colorado, Beverly met Dean Smernoff. They were married in 1953 and were a couple for 65 years until Mr. Smernoff passed away in 2019.
For the first 18 months of their marriage, Mr. Smernoff was in the Armed Forces, and served in a MASH unit in South Korea. While Mr. Smernoff was stationed in South Korea, Mrs. Smernoff gave birth to their first daughter, Susan. They subsequently added to their family with another daughter and two sons.
“Jo always had a garden. Touching the earth and growing flowers and plants brought her joy,” the family said.
“Her friendships stretched from high school to the Jewish community at Temple Sinai and included her children’s friends and neighbors in the homes she shared with Dean,” the family added.
Mrs. Smernoff is survived by her children Susan Smernoff (Barry Make), Lisa Smernoff (Bill Hangen), David Smernoff (Cindy Russell) and Eric Smernoff; and five grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to Temple Sinai or the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.
Gloria Trotsky
Centenarian Gloria Trotsky passed away Jan. 4, 2022. She was 100. A service was held Jan. 7 at Emanuel Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Feldman Mortuary. Rabbis Steven Foster and Emily Hyatt and Cantor Elizabeth Sacks officiated.
Mrs. Trotsky grew up in Casper, Wyo., where her family said she was called “a social butterfly.” She attended Mills College in California before transferring to the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was there she met Martin Trotsky. They were married in 1944 at Hebrew Educational Alliance, and were together 74 years until Mr. Trotsky’s death in 2019.
Mrs. Trotsky was a regular substitute teacher at elementary school music classes in Denver. She was a passionate piano player.
In September, 2021, Mrs. Trotsky celebrated her 100th birthday in Denver with family.
“Gloria will be missed by her loved ones, who will cherish her wonderful ‘roasts’ she would give at family events,” her family said.
Mrs. Trotsky is survived by her children Linda Stevenson, and Jim (Barbara) Trotsky; and four grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to the Martin and Gloria Trotsky Family Foundation in Englewood, and to the CU Boulder Music School.
Beverly Francis
Beverly Cohen Francis died on Dec. 12, 2021. She was 97. A service was held Dec. 14, 2021 at Emanuel Cemetery, officiated by Cantor Elizabeth Sacks. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Mrs. Francis lived in Schenectady, NY most of her life, before she and her husband Norman Francis moved to Denver in 2017 to be close to family. Mr. and Mrs. Francis were married for 73 years before Mr. Francis’ death in January, 2021.
Mrs. Francis grew up in Rochester, NY, and attended Brockport State Teachers’ College during WW II. She taught elementary school for eight years before focusing on raising her three children.
“She single-handedly managed the household, which was crucial, given that Norm was an absent-minded physicist,” her family said.
Mrs. Francis was an active member of Hadassah and sisterhood groups in Schenectady. “Beverly was ahead of her time,” added the family. “At 90 years old she mastered the use of an iPad and texted her grandchildren regularly until a few days before she died.”
Mrs. Francis is survived by her children Cynthia (Joe) Gensheimer, Karen (Dave) Maher and Martha (Mark) Fischer; and seven grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to the Beverly Francis Education Enrichment Fund at Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady.
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