Obituary - BELLA TRESSER

Bella K. Tresser, age 80, of Orlando, passed away on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, at Hospice of The Comforter in Altamonte Springs. Born in the prelude to WWII in Poland to the late Sigmund and Elsa Wortsman Kerner, she and her parents escaped Europe by the humanitarian kindness of Chiene Sugihara to Shanghai. Bella eventually emigrated in 1948 to New York where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hunter College.

On Feb. 11, 1956, in New York, she married Melvin Tresser, her husband of nearly 60 years who survives her. Following Melvin’s service in the U.S. Air Force in Selma, Ala., the couple moved back to New York and then, in 1962, relocated to the Orlando area.

They were former members of Temple Israel before joining Congregation of Reform Judaism over 10 years ago. Bella had a love of travel, art, theater opera, and all this cultural. She was a travel agent for 40 years, member of the University Club of Winter Park and the English Speaking Union.

Bella is survived by her husband, Melvin Tresser; children, Debra Wilner (Ken) of Nashua, N.H., Steven Tresser (Patrice) of Tampa, Andrea Burke (Jeff) of San Jose, Calif.; and grandchildren, Adam Wilner, Josh Tresser, Elana Wilner, Cary Tresser, Aliza Tresser, Mia Burke, Lauren Tresser and Harrison Burke; and friends too numerous to count.

Funeral services were held at the Yank Frank Pavilion at Temple Israel Cemetery with Rabbi Steven W Engel and Cantor Jacqueline Rawiszer officiating. Burial followed in the Temple Israel Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123-1718. Funeral arrangements entrusted by Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando 32810.