Estelle Michael Mitnick

Estelle Michael Mitnick, 89 of Plainview, N.Y. died on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at The Highlands of Wyomissing. She was the wife of Harold I. Mitnick, who died in 2008; they had been married for over 65 years.

Born April 2, 1923, she grew up in Brooklyn during the Depression. During this time she developed a commitment to education, lifelong learning, and family, as well as a certainty that the world could be made better by the efforts of people who cared.

Estelle received her bachelor's degree from Hunter College in New York, and a master's degree from Brooklyn College. During the Second World War she worked for a precursor to the weather service on weather maps for the Pacific campaign. Estelle later was a teacher for 28 years, mostly teaching first grade students in the Hicksville, New York schools. She was remembered with great fondness by generations of students – and their parents. Before she retired she had the experience of teaching the children of her students from her first years of teaching.

More than anything else, Estelle loved her children, and she adored her grandchildren. She delighted in the achievements of her kids and grandkids whether major or minor in apparent importance.

After moving to Berks County in 2008, she shared her witty sense of humor with all during her last four years, which were spent at the Highlands.

Estelle will be remembered and loved by her sister Belle (Michael) Krellberg of Queens, N.Y.; her children Barry Mitnick (Margery) of Pittsburgh, Pa; Paul Mitnick (Ellen) of Mohnton, Pa.; and Marilyn London (Manuel) of Mt. Sinai, N.Y.; and her grandchildren Jennifer, Jeffrey, and Michael of Pittsburgh, Pa..; Ethan of Washington, D.C.; Allison of Seattle, Wa.; Tobin of New York, N.Y.; Delaney and Johnny of Mohnton, Pa.; and David and Jared of Mt. Sinai, N.Y.

Estelle's family wishes to thank the Heather Court and Assisted Living staff of The Highlands of Wyomissing for the superb care provided to Estelle. The family also wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Mary Bonner and the other physicians of the Reading Hospital Medical Group at Gateway for the excellent care they gave her.

Donations in Estelle's memory may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation (www.ALZinfo.org) and to her favorite charities which included the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (Palo Alto, Ca.; http://www.dsrtf.org); and other charities that directly benefit children and the betterment of public education. Burial was at Beth David Cemetery, November 7, Elmont, NY. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading was in charge of local arrangements. www.kuhnfuneralhome.com