BERNICE "NIKKI" LEVIN's Obituary
“Nikki”, Bernice Levin, 95, of Palm Beach, formerly of Great Neck, NY and New Britain, CT, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2019, surrounded by her cherished daughter and son, Deborah and Bruce. Born March 26, 1924 in Great Neck, she was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her lifelong career was as a humanitarian “care-giver”, confidante and “comforter in chief” to family and all who knew her. Nikki embodied beauty inside and out, with a selfless caring for others, radiating a unique refined elegance and humility, all which defined a truly great lady. Being in her presence elevated one’s spirit to a higher place.
Her Father, Mack Schenck, was a successful shoe retailer in New York and provided shoes for many Broadway shows. Her Mother, Helen Schenck, was a milliner known for designer hats, an artist and founding member of Great Neck’s Temple Beth-el. Nikki excelled in several NYC executive positions before embarking on a career in the entertainment industry working with colorful film director Louis Derochemont (famed for “The March of Time”) on movies starring Kim Novak and stars of the era.
On a weekend Catskills country club getaway, her path veered to love, when a “lightning bolt” struck upon meeting her soulmate, Abraham “Al” Levin; they wed in 1949 and moved to New Britain, where Al settled after emigrating with his family at the age of 4 from Russia. Nikki supported Al with the expansion of his Regal Men’s Shops from a stand-alone retail outlet into a chain of discount department stores. Nikki and Al were each other’s “raison d’etre”, adoring and utterly devoted. They were charter members of Cliffside Country Club, prominent congregants of Temple B’nai Israel, and brought an historic Torah from Israel, donated by the family to the Synagogue and which now graces the Tabernacle at their son’s house of worship in Illinois.
Nikki doted on her two children and was an active philanthropist: President of Hadassah, volunteer with the March of Dimes, involved with countless charities. Shortly after relocating her parents to New Britain, brother Bobby, Captain in the Air Force who had flown continuous sorties in WWII and awarded the Purple Heart, was killed in the Korean War. This dealt a significant blow to the family, and followed by illness of her Father, Nikki became a constant care-giver for her parents. In later years, with Al’s encouragement, Nikki welcomed her Mother into their home until passing in 1994.
Nikki will be especially missed by her local family at The Barclay, where she became “Matriarch” of one of the original condo buildings on the ocean in the early development of Palm Beach. Her rigorous water exercises in the pool became so popular that residents were eager to “join her classes”. Winter snowbirds since 1972, members of Sherbrooke Country Club and active in Palm Beach charity, Nikki and Al relocated permanently to their Barclay beachside residence in 2001.
Nikki is championed by all for her kindness, integrity, generosity of spirit and loving support of others during their times of joy and grief – for her, everyone else always came first. She will be remembered for never forgetting family members on their birthdays and anniversaries with special greeting cards and pearls of wisdom. She was a role model for her children, grandchildren and so many who loved her and appreciated her noble motivation to help mankind.
Nikki’s spirit will continue to shine through her family; she is survived by her devoted daughter and companion Deborah Faith “Lexye” Aversa and spouse Giovanni Aversa, beloved son Bruce Robert Levin and spouse Gail Levin and their children Danielle Levin and Mac Levin, Nikki’s grandchildren who were the lights of her life and gifted “Nan” with great “naches”!
She is predeceased by her blessed husband of 55 years, Abraham “Al” Levin (1908-2004), parents Helen and Mack Schenck, brothers Robert Leonard Schenck and Henry Paul Schenck. Nikki is now back in the arms of her beloved Al, dancing to “their song” Embraceable You into eternity together.
A Funeral Service will be celebrated, welcoming family and friends, on Thursday, July 11 at 9:30am at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Road (at Woolbright), Boynton Beach, FL 33437. 561-732-3000. Burial immediately follows at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends July 11, from 2:00-4:00pm at The Barclay, 3546 South Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
The Family extend their deep appreciation to the compassionate professionals at Morse Life Mack Rehab Center and Trustbridge Hospice. Donations may be sent to: ISRAEL CANCER ASSO. USA, 2751 S. Dixie Highway-Suite 3A, West Palm Beach, FL 33405, MORSE LIFE FOUNDATION, 4847 David S. Mack Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417, or TEMPLE BETH-EL 3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062
Address for Notes to the Family or Donation Notifications:
Deborah “Lexye” Aversa
11650 Stonehaven Way, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33412
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