IN MEMORIAM: Esther K. Elfenbein, 89;

SUNY Oneonta Award-Winning Instructor

ONEONTA – Esther K. Elfenbein, 89, a highly regarded instructor of speech, costume design and construction, stage makeup and other courses at SUNY Oneonta, passed away late Sunday evening, Aug. 2, 2015 after a very brief illness.

Esther was born Dec. 22, 1925 in Denver, Colo.  A lover of art from an early age, Esther studied art and costume design, earning a BFA from the University of Iowa (and remained a life-long fan of Hawkeye football and basketball).  At Iowa she met her future husband, Josef.  She then obtained a master’s from Denver University.

Esther then joined the teaching staff of Stanford’s Speech & Drama Department. Upon wedding Josef on Sept.  3, 1950, the couple settled in Oneonta, with Josef teaching speech and theatre, and Esther becoming an instructor in the department until her retirement at age 80.  She also served as the costumer for several seasons of the Glimmerglass Opera.

In November 1993 Esther’s passion for teaching won her the respected Esther suny oneonta, oneonta news, IN MEMORIAM: Esther K. Elfenbein, 89; SUNY Oneonta Award-Winning InstructorHubbard Whitaker Award for outstanding dedication to students within and outside of the classroom.  For years, she was also teacher and principal of the Sunday School at Temple Beth El.

Esther is predeceased by her parents, Benjamin and Celia; her brother, Albert; her husband, Josef; and daughters, Jill Libbie and Sara Louise.

She is survived by her children, Seth, Adam and Lisa; her grandsons Ezra (Sonja) Reis; Efrem (Lauren) Reis and Ari Reis, and great-grandchildren Jonas, Elise, Silas, Noah, Gabriel, Ella and Leba.  She is also survived by her nieces, Becky Klein and Judy Klein as well as many other much loved family and friends.

Calling hours are 12:30-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Bookhout Funeral Home.  Services will follow at 1 p.m., then a brief graveside ceremony for family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the College at Oneonta Foundation in the name of her late husband, Josef, and mailed to the Office of College Advancement, 308 Netzer Administration Building, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta, NY 13820; or to Temple Beth El, 83 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 in memory of her beloved daughters, Jill and Sara.

To send an online condolence to the family, please visit our website: www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.