Bess L. Zimbel Fleischman died December 5 of natural causes at the age of 102. Bess was born October 10, 1918, in Woburn, Massachusetts, to Morris and Tillie Zimbel. She was one of five siblings. She studied dance, voice, and piano for many years and conducted her own dance school for nine years. During World War II she entertained for the USO at Fort Devens and for various other organizations.

In 1947 Bess married Lloyd Fleischman and moved to Union, New Jersey, and then West Orange, New Jersey. In West Orange she was a volunteer pianist for the Daughters of Israel and the senior citizens programs at the West Orange Women's/Men's Hebrew Association.

In the mid-eighties Bess and Lloyd moved to Heritage Village in Southbury, CT, and in their senior years moved to the Watermark at East Hill in Southbury.

Bess is survived by her son Mark, daughter Laurie (Hilary Fried), and grandsons Ben Fried (Jessica Winograd) and David Fried. She is also survived by her brothers Norman Zimbel (Adele) and George Zimbel and sister Judi Marcus Goldman (David). She was predeceased by her sister Jeannette Fishman Kaye.

Bess was loved by so many. She will be remembered for her bright smiles, her kindness and her passion for art and music.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.