General Information

Full Name: Bernice Leader
Date of Death: Saturday, May 22, 2021

Bernice Kramer Leader, 82, of Wayne, NJ passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her cherished family on May 22, 2021 after a short and fierce battle with metastatic lung cancer. Bernice was born on November 18, 1938 in the Bronx, New York to the late Anne Benedick Kramer and Stanley Julius Kramer. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 55 years, Alan H. Leader, her two daughters, Audrey Leader and Anne Kay, son-in-law Andrew Kay, her grandson Gabriel, her twin sister Barbara August and husband Gerald August, a niece and nephew, their spouses and children, many cousins, extended family and many, many friends who will all miss her terribly. She was predeceased by her sister Judith Kramer. 

Bernice graduated Bronx High School of Science in 1955 and Barnard College in 1959 with a degree in Art.  After marrying and raising her daughters, Bernice earned her Ph.D. in Art History from Columbia University in 1980. She taught at the college level for a short time, then earned a business degree through a program at New York University Graduate School of Business. After a brief stint in the corporate world, Bernice turned her passion for art into her vocation and founded Leader Associates Art Consulting in 1987. She helped many hospitals, clinics, law firms, and medical offices beautify their space through her art selections. She was busy wrapping up her last project just the day before her death.  

Bernice was a vibrant, charismatic, intelligent, generous, caring and classy woman who loved art, theater, music, dancing and travel. Her smile and laughter lit up the room. Bernice volunteered as an English as a Second Language tutor, acting as surrogate family to many of her students over the years. Her passion for art extended to painting.  The walls of her home are adorned with her pieces. 

In lieu of flowers, please honor Bernice’s generosity by considering a donation in her memory to a charity of your choice.  Arrangements by Louis Suburban Chapel, Fair Lawn, NJ.