Shirley Klein Greenwald

July 25, 2016, 7:26 pm 0 Edit

GREENWALD: Shirley Klein Greenwald, 89, passed away July 23, 2016, in Yakima, Wash. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 69 years, Dr. Saul William Greenwald; her brother Bernard Klein, sister Marcia (Jerry) Chotiner and grandson Jacob Greenwald. Beloved mother to sons Alan (Claudia) and Bruce (Karen) and daughter Lara; and grandmother to Ariel, Jacqueline, Paula, Thomas, Ashley, Benjamin and Joshua. Shirley was also deeply loved by her sister-in-law Dorothy Klein and her many nieces and nephews. Born in McKeesport, Pa. January 15, 1927, to the late Martin and Rose Klein, Shirley graduated from McKeesport High School, then went on to Nurse’s Training at Montefiore hospital in Pittsburgh where she graduated in 1948. She worked for several years before starting her family. Her time as a nurse single-handedly running the hospital’s newly-founded outpatient surgery clinic was one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life. She would later work as a private night duty nurse to support herself and her newlywed husband while he finished his dental degree. In 1953, during the Korean War, she and her infant son Alan joined her husband overseas, and spent a remarkable year in Japan. That experience left her with fond memories she carried with her for the rest of her life. Shirley and her husband Saul moved to Indiana County in 1954, first living in Homer City, then moved to Indiana, where they resided for many decades. She raised her three children with a deep devotion and intense love. An active member of the Beth Israel Sisterhood and Hadassah, she served in various leadership capacities for both. For many years, Shirley was a committed member of a piano workshop group under the direction of the late Phoebe Handler. After her children were grown, she worked alongside her husband in his Homer City dental practice for 10 years, before her sight began to fail. She leaves behind many who loved her for her good heart, generosity and kindness. Services were held at the Seattle Jewish Chapel and she was laid to rest alongside her dear husband Saul in the Bikur Cholim Cemetery on July 25, 2016. Donations can be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.