Emmeline R. Morris

December 5, 2012


WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Emmeline R. Morris, 91, has died.

Born May 20, 1921, in Watertown, the daughter of Martin and Rose Rothschild, she graduated Watertown High School in January 1939 as the salutatorian of the class. She then graduated the Rochester School of Dental Hygiene and worked as a dental hygienist in the Watertown schools. 

She married Dr. Hugh B. Morris on Oct. 7, 1942. They were married more than 50 years.

Mrs. Morris is a past president of the local synagogue Sisterhood and of the Hadassah organization. 

She also served as president of the Odd Couples Bowling League.

She was an active bridge player, life master and a certified duplicate bridge director. She started the Friday bridge game at Ives Hill many years ago which is still popular. She was the founder of the Life Master pin for the American Contract Bridge Association awarded to life masters. It is still presented to those players who attain the goal. 

Mrs. Morris designed and started the bridge marathon for the Samaritan Medical Center and was its president for the first ten years. It lasted 23 years and raised significant funds for the auxiliary. She and her husband taught bridge and ran bridge tournaments on 30 cruise ships and traveled all over the world doing this.

Surviving are two daughters, Marilyn Kletter and Karen Morris; four grandchildren and their wonderful spouses, six great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Gloria Rothschild, Watertown; a sister, Norma Goldberg, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

She was predeceased by her husband Hugh, a son-in-law, Dr. Miles Kletter, and her brother-in-law, Bernie Goldberg. 

She was greatly loved by all of her family.

The funeral will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Temple Degel Israel, 557 Thompson Blvd., Watertown. Shiva visits to the family may be made 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Ives Hill Retirement Community, Parlor Room located in the main building, 1200 Jewell Drive.

Arrangements are with the Cleveland Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make donations in her memory to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y. 13220-3049, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, or Degel Israel Synagogue, 557 Thompson Blvd, Watertown, NY 13601.

Information provided by Cleveland Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.