Lillian Sweet Berkowitz passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 4, 2022, at the age of 94. Her husband Dr. Milo M. Berkowitz predeceased her in 2009.
She was born to Harry and Bella Sweet of Brooklyn, New York, in February 1928, and has ever since told her family she was happy for her good life.
She grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and graduated from City College of New York. After college she traveled for two years throughout post-war Europe and to Israel with her sister. She married her husband, Milo, in 1955 after which they lived loving years together in Baldwin Harbor, New York and in Florida.
Lillian was a caring person who loved her family deeply. She was always active in the local Jewish community. She held may leadership roles with Sisterhood in New York and the Jewish Community Center in Florida. She was active for many years on resident committees at The Village on the Green community, where she was also a skilled bridge, crossword, rummikub and bingo player. She appreciated art and enjoyed needlepoint and knitting. Lillian was a smart forward-thinking individual – and she always knew the answers to the Jeopardy questions.
She is survived by her son Gary Benton and his wife Lynn Benton of Palo Alto, California. her daughter Laurie Matz and her partner Annie Lamb of Leesburg, Florida, her grandchildren Julia Benton, Brian Benton, Brendan Matz, Tina Avelar and Jessica Ferro, her great-grandchildren Michael, Kaleb, Kash and Zion, her nephew George Axelrod and his wife Marian Thurm, her great nephews and their children. As well, she will be missed by her long-time caregiver Francienne Etienne and other caregivers, friends, and relatives.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, her sister Florence Benzakein and her husband, Marcel, her sister-in-law Meta Axelrod and her husband Nathan, her uncle David Schneider and his wife Dottie, and her niece Meryl Bennett. She was also predeceased by her dear friend Harry Migdal.
Lillian will be buried following a graveside service at New Montefiore Cemetery on Long Island. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but her love will be with us forever.
Memorial donations may be made to the Roth Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando (JCC), 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland FL 32751. Arrangements entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel. 640 Lee Road, Orlando 32810.