Saundra Siegel

Saundra Muriel Siegel (Schwartz), 80, of Livingston died July 3, 2012. Born in Brooklyn, she resided there and in Illinois before moving to Livingston in 1960.

Mrs. Siegel taught elementary school for four years in Illinois, where she also taught Hebrew and Sunday school on a voluntary basis. After moving to Livingston and joining Temple Beth Shalom there, she began teaching at the temple and continued for more than 51 years until the end of 2011, working with two generations of students in many families. She taught second grade for 50 years, had also taught first grade, and for more than 20 years taught in the temple’s Learning Center. She led children’s services during the High Holy Days, taught music for several years, and also taught history and Haftara blessings to older students. In her later years, she worked with children with autism and other learning challenges.

She graduated from Brooklyn College in 1952 with a bachelor of arts in education.

She was a 50-year member of the temple and its sisterhood. She served as secretary, vice president, and president of B’nai B’rith Women’s Northfield chapter, and was a life member of Livingston Hadassah. She also was involved with Dolls for Democracy, in which she would go into local elementary schools and teach about important historical figures.

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Predeceased by her husband, Howard M., whom she married in 1952, she is survived by her daughter, Melodie P. Teich of Orangeburg, NY; two sons, Scott A. of Roslyn, NY, and Lance M. of Rock Tavern, NY; a brother, Kenneth Schwartz of Tarzana, Calif.; and nine grandchildren.

Services were held July 6 with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.