Obituary of Bernice Fischman

Bernice "Bunny" Fischman was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1917. She began her career teaching dancing at the Arthur Murray studio in New York City in 1940. While her family was growing up in New Jersey, she continued teaching ballroom dancing in the adult school classes in the local high school. She earned a degree in botany from Rutgers University in 1976 and became an instructor at the Newark Museum, teaching science and nature classes to children. In 2005 she moved to Cedar Crest Village in Pompton Plains, N.J., and continued teaching dance classes. Bunny enjoyed gardening, taking ceramics classes, playing tennis, and teaching dance classes well into her 80s. Bunny was married to the late Alex Fischman, and is survived by her three children, Nancy Fischman and her husband, David Close; Peter Fischman and his wife, Deb O'Hanlon; and Leala Gonzales and her husband, Tomas. Six grandchildren will miss their dear "Bunny-buns:" Alexis and Maren Close; Elena, Zara, and Andeana Gonzales; and Luka Fischman. She will be greatly missed by her beloved nieces and nephews and her many friends. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ. To send an on-line condolence please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com