Sarah Greenstein's Obituary
Sarah Greenstein died peacefully at home in Wellington, FL in the early morning hours on March 8, 2021 after a short illness, and a very long life, just shy of 7 months after the passing of her loving husband of nearly 78 years Paul (Payce) Greenstein. Mom, known to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as "Nana," was born June 15, 1923 in Boston, the youngest daughter of first generation European immigrants. While her overall health was declining, her incredibly strong sense of family and matriarchal status never did, and she left an amazing legacy:
3 devoted sons and daughters-in-law: Marty (& Judith Stevens), Robert (& Barbara) & Neil (& Karen);
16 loving grandchildren (including spouses and step-grandchildren);
18 cherished great-grandchildren (including step-great grandchildren).
Sarah's life included awesome challenges and accomplishments, coming of age during the Great Depression years, marrying Payce, the love of her life, in 1942. Like so many women during WWII, she lived in a small apartment with her parents, her infant son Marty, and her sister Rose and her infant daughter Fredlee, holding down the homefront until the men safely returned from the war. A full partner and motivating force in everything she and Payce did, Sarah worked as a bookkeeper, and numerous other jobs, running the home, raising (and feeding!) three sons (all the while hoping for a daughter), and as an integral business partner in two successful electrical contracting businesses. Above all else, Nana's driving force and passion was the importance of family, a trait she worked hard - and successfully - to instill in her children, her children's children, and even her great grandchildren.
Taking great pride in the successes of their three sons, she lived to see that initial modest legacy expand to numerous grandchildren, and then great grandchildren. With Sarah's perseverance and drive, together she and Payce enjoyed enough success to retire at an early enough age to live in Florida part time, and then eventually permanently. Sarah took enormous pride in all they accomplished, and all their children accomplished, and in the ever-growing family they had sired. She especially looked forward to, and took great pride in the numerous life events their legacy brought - births, birthdays, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, and anniversary celebrations. Sarah's trademark signature phrase, recited at every event and echoed by scores of her progeny, was "What a Nice Paaaaty!". And Sarah did all this with her soulmate, Payce, by her side since 1942.
A Celebration of Life for Sarah/Mom/Nana, complete with remembrances, stories, photos and smiles, will be held by a fully interactive Zoom call on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at 1:30pm EDT. Zoom login details for that will follow early next week - but mark the date/time on your calendars.
Funeral arrangements are set for this coming Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 1:30pm EDT, at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens in Boynton Beach, with entombment to immediately follow. Because of COVID, only very limited onsite presence is allowed, so only a small group of family and close friends will attend. If you want to observe that proceeding, let Robert, Neil or me know and we will send "view only" Zoom login details.
What’s your fondest memory of Sarah?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sarah?
Share a story where Sarah's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sarah you’ll never forget.
How did Sarah make you smile?
