Bette Yorra Bloom (Cominsky)

Bette Bloom, 95, a longtime resident of New Hartford, died on March 27, 2023. Her last years were spent in Las Vegas where she was cared for by her son Daniel Cominsky.

Bette Frances Yorra was born December 5; 1927 in Somerville, MA. She moved to Utica in 1940 with her father Walter, mother Mathilde, sister Ruth and brother Marshall, where they ran Bette’s Grocery on the corner of Catherine and St. Anthony Streets.

Bette graduated from Utica Free Academy, Class of 1945, where she was President of the Drama Club and a member of the Punchinello Players. She later studied at the Albright Art School in Buffalo and continued to paint with her works winning several amateur awards. A highlight of her post college career was managing the Avis desk at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Bette eloped with Manuel Cominsky to marry in 1956, the founder of Chicago Markets. After Manuel’s death in 1971, she served as Chairman of the Board of Chicago Markets. In 1976 she married Irving L. Bloom who passed in 1991. During her many years as a resident of Utica, Bette participated in many charitable activities and organizations. She was proudly a life member of Hadassah, a member of the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute Gala Committee, an actress in Theatre Workshop Inc. and a founding member of the Ladies of Camden Way.

Bette Bloom was a stylish and charitable woman. She cared deeply about passing on these traits to her children and grandchildren. She took great joy in being told she never looked her age even when she entered her nineties. People marveled at her longevity and she always attributed her long life to being surrounded by love.

She is survived by her children, Michael Cominsky and his wife Kate ,Daniel Cominsky and Claire May; as well as her grandchildren, Manny Cominsky, Marshal Cominsky (Alexis Donaldson), Serena May and Natasha May; and stepchildren, Rhonda Bloom and Jay Bloom. Bette was predeceased by her brother, S/Sgt. Sergeant Marshall S. Yorra, who died in service to our country in WWII; her sister, Ruth Cummins; and son-in-law, Dr. James May (Companion in the Order of Australia (AC), in the Queen’s Birthday Honours).

Her funeral will be Sunday at 1:00 pm at Temple Emanu-El, 2710 Genesee Street. Utica, with Rabbi Peter B. Schaktman officiating. Interment will be in House of Israel Cemetery, Whitesboro. The family will observe Shiva on Sunday night at Temple Emanu-El from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

In memory of Bette, please consider a donation to one of her favorite charities, Temple Emanu-El, The Jewish Community Center of the Mohawk Valley, The Charles T. Sitrin Home or Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute.

Arrangements are with Mark C. Bentz Funeral Service, Inc., New Hartford.  

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