Freda (Krugman) Balk

Freda (Krugman) Balk, 99 years of age, of West Hartford, devoted wife of Carl B. Balk for 72 years, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2009. She was the daughter of the late Abraham and Ida (Gottlieb) Krugman, born in Brooklyn, NY October 1, 1910. Freda graduated West Springfield High School prior to the family moving to Elmwood. She was employed at Aetna Insurance Co. and participated in ladies YWHA/Aetna basketball. After marriage, she was a complete partner with Carl in successfully running several businesses, making a living for the family. She was a long-time member of Beth El Temple of West Hartford, and a 10 year volunteer at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen. After retirement, Carl and Freda kept active by square dancing locally and in other states, as well as volunteering to teach/demonstrate square dancing to patients at Cedar Crest Hospital. They attained their goal of traveling to many places in the USA and other countries. She leaves her beloved husband Carl B. Balk; daughters Myrle B. Goodman and husband Robert Goodman of West Hartford, and Idylle B.Patz and partner Larry Guyer of Claymont, DE; six grandchildren: David (Joanie) Goodman of Meriden, Kenneth (Lisa) Goodman of Tahoe City, CA, Rabbi Aaron (Sharon) Gaber of Margate, NJ, Miriam (Reuben) Kantor of Jamaica Plain, MA, Abraham (Michelle) Patz of Dover, DE, and Sarena Rawlstrom of Seaford, DE. She was predeceased by her daughter Faith B. Gaber. Also her legacy of love goes to her great grandchildren Benjamin, Yonah, Aliza, and Reena Gaber, Jonathan and Joshua Goodman, Gabriel and Gideon Patz, Bobbi Rawlstrom and one on the way. She was the loving sister of Sally Schaperow of New London, Ct., the late Ann Rosen, Louis Krugman, Ruth Beck, Rivilyn Salzberg. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. Many thanks go to Mary, Jane, Suzanne, and all the staff at the Holiday Retirement Home who cared for her a lot. Funeral will be TODAY, Friday, October 9, 2009 at 9:00 AM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow in the Beth El Temple Cemetery, Avon. Following interment the family will receive relatives and friends at the home of Robert and Myrle Goodman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford, 06117 or Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford 06117. For further information, directions, or to sign the guestbook for Freda, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.