Beatrice Frey

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beatrice Frey, 96, on May 23, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina. Funeral services will be held early next week at Gutterman’s Funeral Home in Woodbury, New York. Bea was born in Brooklyn in 1928 to Philip and Sarah Silverman. She met the love of her life, Alvin Frey in Mohegan Lake, NY in 1950. They were wed in Brooklyn in 1952 and remained married until Alvin’s sudden death in 1989. Her resourcefulness in the years following Alvin’s passing was a source of pride to her children. Although neither of them attended college, the devoted couple focused on their family and were exceedingly proud that their three children all graduated from four-year universities and experienced successful professional careers. Her family was Bea’s greatest pride and joy, and during large family get-togethers, she loved to remark how happy she was “when my whole family is together.” After Alvin’s passing in 1989, Bea had a long-term companionship with Albert Grodin (a childhood friend of her late husband) for 25 years, until his death in 2016. They enjoyed travelling to family gatherings on the west coast, as well as an occasional trip to Atlantic City. She participated in activities at Temple B’nai Torah (especially working at its bingo game), though she came of age at the time when few Jewish women had a formal religious education. While she was a dedicated stay-at-home mom for many years, she joined the Farmingdale School District in an administrative capacity when Gary, her youngest child, was in high school . She generally loved and held jobs with the district for nearly 20 years, before retiring in the late 1990s. The ease with which she assumed a working life after her years of child rearing was yet another example of her resiliency and resourcefulness. In 2020, Bea moved from her home of 62 years on Long Island to Asheville, North Carolina to be closer to her daughter, Bonnie. She lived in a retirement community, where, as always, she made fast friends, loved learning about the other residents, and expressed concern for the welfare of others. She spread her positive outlook and good humor to everyone she met. Bea is survived by her three children: Rick Frey (Margaret Kane) Bonnie Russolillo (Ray), Gary Frey (Janet): her five grandchildren, Steve Russolillo (Shelly Banjo), Alex LaMonte (Rob), Elena Frey, Trevor Frey, and Danica Frey, and her three great grandchildren: Jonah Russolillo, Connor LaMonte, and Issac Russolillo.

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Beatrice Frey

July 15, 1928 - May 28, 2025