Obituary of Esther Weinstein

ESTHER WEINSTEIN Esther Weinstein passed away at Maplewood Manor in Ballston Spa, NY on July 25, 2010, at the age of 95 just two months shy of her 96th birthday. Esther will be remembered for her warm and energetic personality, her deep family feeling, her strong social skills, her resiliency, her good taste in fashion, and her dedication to fundraising for Hadassah's medical initiatives in the State of Israel. Esther took great pride in her family, her friends and the role she played in being a founding member and active figure in the Zohara chapter of Hadassah in New York and Co-President of the Ahava chapter of Hadassah in Florida. Esther Goldstein was born on September 12, 1914, in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Rissie and Benjamin Goldstein, the third of five children. Of Eastern European decent, her first language was Yiddish, and Jewish Culture remained a strong theme throughout her life. Although an excellent student, Esther had to drop out of high school and help support her family during the Great Depression but was eventually able to receive her High School diploma and take some college courses by attending night school. In 1937 Esther married Lou Weinstein, a recent graduate of St. John's University. Esther continued to work until the age of 27 when she gave birth to her first child, Wilma. She spent much of her next 15 years enjoying the pleasures of raising three children, making lifelong friends, keeping close ties with her family and fundraising for Hadassah. Esther eventually went back to work in the Social Work Department of Beth-El (later Brookdale) Hospital and after a few years she transferred to the Cardiology Department as an EKG technician. In 1965 Esther became a grandmother, a role she was well suited for and particularly enjoyed. In 1976 Esther and Lou retired to Deerfield Beach, Florida where they continued to live among lifelong friends and family while also enjoying the company of many new friends. Esther enjoyed traveling around the USA, Canada and Western Europe with her husband Lou and after many years of fundraising for Hadassah, she was finally able to visit the land to which she had dedicated so much of her energy, Israel. In her Golden Years Esther took part in almost as many activities as were offered by her retirement community. She especially enjoyed the field trips, concerts and theatrical shows that were available through Hadassah and her community. Esther enthusiastically engaged in square dancing, ballroom and line dancing, Mah Jongg, Bridge, and bowling. . In 1986, at the age of 72, Esther learned how to drive when Lou, her beloved husband of 49 years past away. She became even more active in community activities and was eventually elected co-President of the Ahava chapter of Hadassah in Deerfield Beach, FL. Esther was extremely resilient and while suffering through many serious health issues in her life she became an inspiration for all in her family by rebounding time and time again. In the final years of Esther's life her family became her main focus. Esther's Florida years ended and she moved to Saratoga Springs, New York to be near family. Each year the entire family looked forward to gathering for her birthday parties. Esther is survived by her daughter Wilma Koss and husband David of Saratoga Springs, her son Kenneth Weinstein of Astoria, Queens, NY and her daughter Barbara Weinstein and husband Erich Goode, of New York City, eight grandchildren Roberta, Ronald and Lawrence Koss, Robbi and Scott Weinstein and Lori Haberer and Sarah and Danny Goode 12 great-grandchildren who adored her and many nieces and nephews. Service at the Levine Memorial Chapel,649 Washington Ave., Albany, NY on Tuesday July 27 at 2pm. Esther will be laid to rest at Star of David Cemetery in West Palm Beach, Florida next to her beloved husband Lou. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Hadassah.