soul

of blessed memory

A Second Chance At Life
C

DAVID SACHS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ourage, strength, inspiration
and hope: These are the words
that come to my mind when I
think about my mom.”
Shelli Lempert’s thoughts were
expressed at the funeral of her moth-
er, Brenda Beron of West Bloomfield,
who died Nov. 10, 2017, at age 79.
Brenda was a proud and mighty
warrior, counseling people with
cancer. She, herself, was a 36-year
survivor of deadly ovarian cancer.
Ironically, she succumbed to another
vicious form of the disease, pancreat-
ic cancer, which was discovered just
seven weeks before she died.
“My mom faced so many chal-
lenges throughout her life but always
with class, dignity and grace,” said
Shelli.
One cannot say, however, that
cancer defeated Brenda. Quite the
opposite.
Brenda was a master’s-level psy-
chologist who helped hundreds of
cancer patients combat the dreaded
disease over the past three-and-a
half decades. She counseled people
struggling with cancer in her psy-
chology practice and was, for 18
years, the longest-running volunteer
facilitator at Gilda’s Club in Royal
Oak.
Last year, she was honored for
her work by Gilda’s Club and also
at a gala fundraising dinner of the
Belinda Sue Fund for Ovarian Cancer

Brenda Beron

Awareness and Research.
“I did not make this journey alone,”
Brenda graciously acknowledged
at the time. “Numerous people
have supported me along the way.
They have been there and available
through good times as well as the
challenges.”

HELPING OTHERS

An anti-cancer fighter, Brenda was
active with the Cancer Thrivers
Network for Jewish Women at Jewish

Family Service. She also was a co-
founder with social worker Patricia
Milner Sachs in N’siah, a synagogue-
based spiritual cancer support group.
In addition, Brenda co-facilitated
with Simona Seiderman the I Can
Cope cancer support group. She
assisted patients, as well, in her job
at the Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Brenda’s son, Dr. Phillip Beron,
said, “When my mom survived ovar-
ian cancer 36 years ago, she found
her life’s purpose. There’s a saying: ‘A
second chance comes only once.’
“What’s truly impressive is what
she did with that opportunity — that
second chance,” Phillip said. “I think
God knew that she had more work to
do, more people to touch.
“My mom never forgot that, for
some reason, she lived 36 years to
help others. She became a champion
companion for so many people with
cancer, ovarian and otherwise, and
for her friends and family. Many
knew her through her tireless devo-
tion as she counseled us, cried with
us and cared about each one of us.
“She was relentless for so many of
us, and she had room in her heart for
all of us,” Phillip said.
Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple Israel
in West Bloomfield, who spoke at
the funeral, said, “In giving to others,
Brenda found greater strength. She
was meeting with clients up until she
was diagnosed with pancreatic can-

cer just weeks ago.
“She then wrote a letter to the
Cancer Thrivers group. In it, she said,
‘Every day is a gift, and I’m trying to
make a special day each day. I do not
want tears and sad faces; I want a
celebration.
“‘I’ve had a good life and have no
regrets. I have met the most awe-
some people and have been blessed
in so many ways.’”
Brenda Beron is survived by her
daughter and son-in-law, Shelli and
Scott Lempert; son and daughter-
in-law, Dr. Phillip and Tricia Beron;
sister and brother-in-law, Carol Kay
and Stewart Shear; grandchildren,
Averi Beron, Jordyn Lempert ( fiance,
Weston Davis) and Mara Lempert;
many loving nieces, nephews, other
family members and a world of dear
friends.
Brenda was the devoted daughter
of the late Joseph and the late Vivian
Kaufman.
Interment was at Machpelah
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut
Lake Road, West Bloomfield, MI
48323, (248) 661-5700; Gilda’s Club,
3517 Rochester Road, Royal Oak,
MI 48073, (248) 577-0800; or to the
Belinda Sue Fund, P.O. Box 210159,
Auburn Hills, MI 48321, (248)
432-6432. Arrangements were by
Dorfman Chapel. •

continued on page 60

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November 16 • 2017

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