Obituary of Lillian R. Insel

LILLIAN R. INSEL 1917- 2009 Rexford, New York INSEL Lillian R. Insel, 91 of Coburg Village in Rexford, NY passed away in Albany on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 after a brief illness, but a long and very rich life. Beloved Mother of Judy, Jonathan (Carolyn) and Michael (Rachel). Loving grandmother of Lisa, Marris, Aaron, Jessica and Louis. Adoring great grandmother of Nathan, Noah, Matthew and Dylan. She was born in New York City to Sara Peters and Louis M. Solomon. She earned a B.A. from New York University in 1937. after 13 years as a stay at home Mother. She earned an MLS degree from Carnegie Mellon in 1956. She began her career as a librarian at Carnegie Mellon shortly thereafter. She moved to Albany with her husband, Ralph Insel whom she married in 1940 and continued her career at Albany Medical College and then at the Albany College of Pharmacy until her retirement in 1982. She was a remarkable woman who touched many lives and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her life long love and in depth knowledge of opera was shared in the courses she taught for 11 years at Union College in Albany. She also gave many lectures at the Jewish Community Center, which was the center of her social life, until she moved to Coburg Village in 2007. She enjoyed nothing more than being in the classroom. She had the unique ability to instill in others the same excitement and enthusiasm for opera that she had. She was a member of Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany for 50 years. Her life was filled with passions for animals and friends. It was a privilege to know her and those who did will never forget her. She will live forever in our hearts and minds, irreplaceable and unforgettable. She is also survived by her loving companion, Bernard Streifer of Coburg Village. Lillian was predeceased by a grandson, Nathaniel. Services at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue in Albany on Thursday August 6, 2009 at 2:30pm. Interment will follow in the Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either the Ralph D. Insel Fund at Siena College Opera Library, the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center 360 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208 or the Congregation Beth Emeth Library Fund 100 Academy Road Albany, NY 12208.