Anna Beck

Anna Beck passed away on Thursday, October 3rd surrounded by her daughter, Audrey Beck, and loving husband, Saul Beck. She is also survived by her three granddaughters: Rachel, Sara and Leah Goldstein.

Anna was born on February 10th 1932 in Oran, Algeria to her father Albert Levy and mother Rachel Sabah. She grew up during the French occupation of Algeria surrounded by her loving and large Jewish family. When World War II came around she hid her identity as a Jewish woman, which spared her. After the war was over she travelled to the United States with her mother and sister.

She came to the US with the clothes on her back and without knowing one word of English. She was a smart, self-made woman. She soon after met her husband Saul when set up by a mutual friend. Although there was an age difference, the couple defied all odds by marrying and having their only daughter Audrey. They moved from Brighton Beach to Woodmere, Long Island. Anna was devoted to her friends and family. Even when she had nothing, she always took people in and helped them out when they were down. She was known for her elaborate Algerian dinners with couscous and lamb. She had the warmest heart and the most giving spirit.

She was a force of nature. She did not want to simply be a housewife in the sixties, so she got her husband to buy her a yellow Rambler to drive into Manhattan. She got a job in the juniors department at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she worked for over thirty years. She was a loyal wife to Saul for over sixty-three years. They shared a love that one can only dream of. Even when they were older they never ran out of things to talk about. You would frequently see them going to the Kips Bay movie theater or checking on the restaurants in Murray Hill.

She did everything she could for her daughter and grandchildren. She never stopped taking care of them, brushing their hair, or making them warm milk and honey. Her presence lit up a room, and her smile was filled with sunshine. She went through many hardships in life, but that never stopped her. She always persevered.

A special thanks to Sharmaine, who, so devotedly cared for her for years.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

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