Bernice (Bunny) Bialek, born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 18, 1926, to Lillian and Sol Stein, passed away peacefully in Bethesda, Maryland, on Oct. 31. She was 98 years young. Bunny is survived by her three children: Dr. Donald Bialek (Donna Joyce), Joan Bialek (Dr. Louis Levitt) and Dr. Barry Bialek (Patti Gilford); 10 grandchildren: Anders, Adam, Alexa, Petter, Jeremy, David, Julia, Brenna, Caela, and Dylan; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her sister, Claire Bridge.
Bunny married Samuel Bialek and moved to Washington, D.C. After they divorced, Bunny began a successful career in both residential and commercial real estate. One of the first licensed women real estate brokers in the D.C. area, Bunny was the founder and president of Prestige Properties. She was an early supporter of Arena Stage, an active member of Washington Performing Arts, and an active member in local and international real estate groups (an officer in FIAPSI).
A proud grandmother, Bunny always looked forward to family times when all the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would gather. Each of her grandchildren knew that they were her most favorite. Known for her intelligence, curiosity and colorful conversations, Bunny developed a wide circle of close friends.
Adventurous, cultured and well-traveled, she trekked in Nepal and canoed in the Canadian wilderness. As a National Symphony Orchestra season ticket holder for more than 60 years, she enjoyed hundreds of NSO concerts in Constitution Hall and then the Kennedy Center. Bunny will be missed and celebrated for a long, full life.