Obituary: Bernice Helen Bickwit - Atlanta Jewish Times

Celebrating a century of life, Bernice Helen Bickwit (nee Resnick), who graced this world with her presence for an entire century, passed away in Dunwoody on Feb. 19, 2025, at the age of 100. Born on Sept. 22, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bernice was the daughter of the late Nathan and Martha Resnick and the wife of the late Bernard (Bernie) Bickwit. A 1942 graduate of Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, Bernice was employed in New York’s diamond district during the Second World War. In support of the war effort, Bernice went to school to learn the organizational logistics of onboarding cargo onto ships destined for the European and Pacific theatres of war as well as wrapping bandages and dancing with soldiers at the USO’s Stage Door Canteen in Manhattan.

Following the end of the war, Bernice met Bernie at his niece’s engagement party in December 1945. After a whirlwind courtship, Bernice and Bernie were married on June 22, 1946, and continued to reside in Brooklyn where their three children were born. After moving to Woodmere, Long Island, N.Y., in 1966, Bernice was employed with the accounting departments of both Times Square Stores and Woodlyn Industries.

In 1982, Bernice and Bernie retired to Atlanta (where their three children had, and would, eventually settle) and remained there for the rest of their lives. Both took on part-time jobs, with Bernice working for American Greetings based at the Social Expressions stores in Perimeter and Gwinnett Place Malls. In her spare time, Bernice played the piano as well as the accordion (“Mama had a squeeze box …”) and was a passionate mah jonng player who anxiously awaited the annual release of the official mah jonng card from the National Mah Jonng League.

Bernice was also an amateur matchmaker, introducing her son to his future wife. For years, Bernice and Bernie served as the original bagel purveyors on the carpool line on Sunday school mornings at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell. Her homemade mandelbrot (mandel bread) was much sought after and held legendary status in the family circle.

Bernice was predeceased by her husband and parents as well as her siblings, Ernest Resnick and Irma Klein (and their spouses, Lucy and Arthur, respectively). She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ellen (David) Herold of Dunwoody, Susie (Tom) Williams of Chamblee, and Andy (Carrie) Bickwit of Johns Creek; her grandchildren and spouses, Seth (Meg) Herold of Johns Creek, Devi (Daniel) Knapp of Dunwoody, Jarred (Olivia) Williams of Athens, Trevor (Miriam) Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y., Grant Bickwit of Atlanta, and Kyle (Cecile) Bickwit of Athens; her great-grandchildren, Taylor Herold, Kady Herold, Sophie Knapp, Lily Knapp, Bruce Williams, Charli Williams, Jack Williams, and Emily Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to Quovadis (“Q”) Shack, Andrea Darling, Jimiya Darling, and the staff at Berman Commons for the love and care provided to Bernice in her final few months.

Graveside services for Bernice were held at 2:30 pm, Thursday, Feb. 20, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Brad Levenberg presiding. Bernice Helen Bickwit will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her spirit will continue to inspire and comfort all who knew her. Funeral arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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