ESTHER H. BRATKOWSKY

Esther H. Bratkowsky, of Kingston, passed away Thursday morning, August 30, 2012, in St. Luke's Villa, Wilkes-Barre. Born in New York City and raised in Ashley, PA, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Gussie Epstein Heller and was a graduate of Ashley High School. She was a member of Temple Israel, its sisterhood, Hadassah, and an active member of the Jewish Community Center and its JCC Senior group. Esther enjoyed drama guild, playing cards and spending time with family and friends. Esther was also active, with her husband, for many years, in the garment industry in both Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke from 1944 to 1972. Esther was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Murray Bratkowsky, daughter, Sharon Zwirn, two granddaughters, Barbara Zwirn and Bridget Burrows-Ruder and brother Ralph Heller. She is survived by loving daughters, Susan Burrows Solomon and her husband, Paul, Kingston; Sandra Rossman, Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Dr. Andrew Burrows, NYC; Mark Grossman and his wife, Dr. Ilene Grossman, Atlanta, GA; Dr. Jeff Grossman and his wife Dr. Jennie Grossman, Atlanta, GA; Jonathan Zwirn, great grandchildren, Devorah, Mendy, Chana, Aaron, Shoshanna, Miles, Gabreilla, Alexa, Zachary, Austin; wonderful sisters, Shirley Sullum, Kingston; Ruth Hollander, Kingston; and cherished nieces and nephews of the Hollander and Sullum families, Alan, Debbie, Joel, and Barbara Hollander, Amy Veloric, Dr. Stanford Sullum, Dr. Jeannie Sullum, Carol and Paul Newman, Leslie Weiss, and their children and grandchildren, who were more like her own children to Esther, than nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held today, Friday, August 31, 2012, at 2:00 pm, at the Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Inc. 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Rabbi Larry Kaplan and Canor Ahron Abraham will officiate. Interment will be in Temple Israel Cemetery, Swoyersville. Shiva will be observed at Esther's house, 315 Butler Street, Kingston, Saturday 6-8 and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8pm. Memorial Contributions, may be made to the Jewish Community Center, 60 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Thanks to Dr. Robert Engel for his constant care for many years.

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