Bernice Roth died peacefully in her sleep on July 28, 2014, after a night of visiting and reminiscing with close family members.
She was born Jan. 17, 1918, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Jacob and Julia Saperstein. Thereafter, her family moved to LaPorte, where she graduated from LaPorte High School.
Bernice met and fell in love with her future husband, the late Richard Roth, while they were students at Indiana University, where she majored in English and minored in Music. They married on June 14, 1942, in her family’s home. They were married for 64 years, as Richard preceded her in death in 2006.
They were also the very proud parents of one son, Jack A. Roth, M.D., who was born Jan. 29, 1945. Dr. Roth is currently a professor of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, as well as a cancer researcher, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
While in LaPorte, Bernice was a leader in literary, theatrical and educational organizations. She taught public speaking and worked as a buyer in Levine’s Boston Store, which was managed by Richard and by her cousin, Maurice Levine. In 1980, Bernice and her husband retired and moved to California.
She is survived by her loving son, Jack; her daughter‐in‐law, Elizabeth; and two granddaughters, Johanna and Katherine, whom Bernice loved dearly.
She will be buried alongside Richard in LaPorte. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.