Bertha (Sheintop) Spector

Bertha (Sheintop) Spector, widow of Max Spector, died peacefully at home in Berlin, on Saturday, (August 9, 2008). Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Gussie Sheintop. Bertha was a graduate of Weaver High School, class of 1938. At the age of 16, Bert earned her pilot’s license and later enlisted in the WASPS - the Women Air Force Service Pilots. She received her military discharge papers in 1944. She was among several women honored in Washington, D.C. when the Women in Flight Museum was dedicated. After her marriage, Bert moved to New Britain and raised her family. She leaves to mourn her passing four children and their spouses, Maxine and James Carey of New Britain, Ellice and Lonnie Piper of Whitman, MA, Robert and Susan Spector of Tolland, and Robin and David Nickerson of Carver, MA. She also leaves eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Other mourners include a sister, Gert Cutler, of Canaan; several nieces and nephews, and many devoted friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Lee Steinberg. For many years, Bert was employed in the Office of New Britain Tax Collector. She pursued learning through attendance classes at Tunxis Community College, and at Elder hostels. She enjoyed world-wide travel, and was a much sought after participant in several local bridge circles. Bertha was a member of Tephereth Israel Synagogue in New Britain, and Temple Beth El in Old Lyme. She served as Secretary and was a member of the Board of Directors of Temple B’nai Israel. She was also active in the local chapter of Hadassah. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 11, at 11:00 am, in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford with interment in Beth Alom Cemetery, Allen St., New Britain. The family will sit Shiva, the traditional period of mourning, at the Carey home in New Britain. Friends are invited to visit Monday following funeral, and Tuesday through Thursday from the hours of 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Hospice of Central Connecticut, 56 West Main Street, Plainville, CT 06062; to The American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Ave., P.O. Box 1004, Meriden 06450 ; or to The New Britain Chapter of Hadassah. For further information, directions, or to share memories of Bertha with her family, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.