Betty Bloomfield Soffin

East Lansing, age 96 died February 19, 2022.  She was born on July 17, 1925, in Muskegon, Michigan.  Her parents were Robert and Sarah Cherin, she has an older brother Jerome, and a younger sister Shelley.

Betty attended Michigan State College.  In 1947, Betty graduated from M.S.C. and married Bernie Bloomfield.  He was an engineer who worked for the Michigan Department of Public Health.  They settled in Lansing.  They had three sons: Alan, Gary, and Todd.  Bernie died in 1971.

Betty substitute taught in Lansing schools.  After Bernie died, Betty earned her master’s degree in educational psychology at Michigan State.  She taught in the Children’s Community Nursery School in Lansing.   It was a cooperative nursery where the parents of the students worked with Betty.  The children and their mothers provided Betty much joy.

In 1985, Betty retired from the nursery school.  She married Harold Soffin.  Harold, retired, had three adult children: Roberta, Jerry, and Stan.  Harold also had grandchildren.  Betty melded well with Harold’s family.  Harold’s warmth, love, and generosity helped Betty.  Harold died in 2001.  Betty continued living in East Lansing.

Betty was a beautiful woman with a smile to match.  She had good friends.  Betty loved playing the piano.  She was a wonderful cook and baker who enjoyed cooking and baking for her family.  Betty liked cookbooks.  She described herself as a “cookbook nut.”

Betty throughout her adult life was devoted to Congregation Shaarey Zedek of East Lansing.  She was president of the Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood from 1967 to 1969.  In the 1970s, she was vice-president for education at Shaarey Zedek.  When Betty was 79, she taught Sunday school.  She was interested in books with Jewish themes; she was interested in Jewish subjects.

Betty enjoyed playing bridge.  For many years she regularly played bridge with Louise Werbelow, Judy Smookler, and Rene Vernick.

Betty liked movies, live theater, reading and buying books.

She loved shopping for clothes.

Betty had a youthful, pleasant speaking voice.   She rarely cursed.  She did not gossip, at least not in front of her children when they were growing up.  She helped her children throughout their lives.

Betty travelled to Britain, Peru, Russia, and Israel.

Betty had a good sense of humor.  She liked Yiddish words and Yiddish expressions.  She liked trees, but not bugs.

Betty is survived by her sons Alan (Martha), Gary (Martha), and Todd (Barbara).  She is also survived by her grandchildren Audra, Molly (Bob), Sam (Erin), Ben, and Hannah, great-grandchildren Jackson and Finley. Also surviving are nieces Beth and Debra, and nephews David (Libby), and Jeff.

Betty’s family thanks Joanie and Fidencio Palacio and their family, and Gloria Gruhn for taking exceptional and loving care of Betty in her later years.  Betty’s family also thanks the McLaren Hospice Program.

Thank you to Rabbi Amy Bigman and Estes-Leadley Funeral Home for helping with Betty’s funeral service.

To make contributions in Betty’s name, please make them to Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 1924 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823.