Bernice Kaplan

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bernice Kaplan, on October 9th, 2024 after a prolonged illness. Her two daughters were at her bedside. Bernice, or Neecie as she preferred to be called by her friends, loved her life. She was a dedicated daughter, beloved wife, and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Jan Cheryl Kaplan Golden (William Lawrence Golden, Jr.) and Robin Sandy Kaplan Katz (David Michael Katz), her loving grandchildren, Samantha Lee Goldman (Matthew Samuel Goldman), and David Kenneth Golden (Emily Bowie Golden), and two beautiful great-granddaughters, Bailey Beverly Golden and Noa Brielle Goldman. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Charles “Charlie” Theodore Kaplan, her mother, Sarah Dash, her father Harry Schwartz, her stepfather, Jacob Dash, her sister, Doris Dash Magasiny, and her brother, Albert Dash.

Bernice was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later moved to Atlantic City, New Jersey with her mother, her brother and sister, and her stepfather. She graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1951.

After high school, Bernice moved back to Philadelphia to work in a secretarial position for the IRS. It was during that period while living at the Rebecca Gratz Club that she met the love of her life and soulmate Charlie at a holiday dance. Their first date was on New Year’s Eve, and they were married eight months later on August 29th, 1954. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past August.

Bernice and Charlie decided to make their home and raise their children in New Jersey. Together they helped establish Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, NJ and later, East Brunswick Reform Congregation (now known asTemple B’nai Shalom) in East Brunswick, NJ. In the early 1960’s Bernice began working in real estate and would soon earn her realtor’s license. She worked as a very successful realtor, earning many awards and accolades, for many years. After moving to Virginia Beach, she and Charlie soon opened an auto service franchise which they operated for several years until moving to Florida for retirement. In Florida, Neecie still needed to keep busy, so she opened a small nuts and candy business and worked in various part-time retail jobs.

Bernice was an exceptional cook and baker, hosting wonderful dinner parties, and even baking tiered wedding cakes for friends’ children. She enjoyed playing tennis and racquet ball and enjoyed dancing, and even Zumba, into her 80’s. She loved playing cards, going out for lunch, and drinking martinis with her gal pals. She loved going to the theater with Charlie. Above all, her priorities were always with her family. She was loved by everyone and leaves behind countless friends and people whose lives she touched.

She will be interred at IJ Morris Star of David Cemetery in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida alongside her beloved Charlie on Wednesday, October 16th at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Amedisys Hospice or to Vineyard Bluffton. Donations to Amedisys Hospice, Beaufort location may be made online at amedisys.com/donate or by check made payable to the Amedisys Foundation and mailed to: Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Donations to Vineyard Bluffton, may be sent to 25 Cassidy Drive, Bluffton, SC 29910 with Employee Appreciation Fund written in the note section of the check.