RSS Feed
 |
|
|||||
|
Elsie Kanner: 46-Year Massapequan & MSD Art Teacher
Born in Brooklyn as Elsie Frumkin on May 18, 1918, she was the first woman in her Russian immigrant family to attend college, graduating from New York University in 1938. She later raised her family on Herbert Ave. in Massapequa from 1953 to 1999 before moving to Oakdale, then to Coconut Creek, Florida and finally to Lido Beach on Long Island. She began working as a substitute teacher in 1956 in the local schools. Her ability impressed school officials, and within a year the district hired her as a full-time art teacher. For most of her career she taught at the Alfred G. Berner High School, now a middle school, and her students included the actor Alec Baldwin. Family members said her upbeat, can-do attitude encouraged both her own children and her art students to stretch their abilities and take on challenges in life. "She was ahead of her time as a woman who could balance an accomplished career with a rich family life," said one of her daughters, Ellen Kanner, a psychologist. "She had a generous, helping spirit." Well into her 80s, she remained a prolific painter and sculptor in a variety of styles, from realistic to abstract. During her career she studied under several noted artists, including James Carlin, Alfred Van Loen and Reuben Nakian. Mrs.Kanner loved to take her children and grandchildren on vacations to Europe and to the U.S.'s national parks and was a longtime member of the Massapequa Jewish Center and the American Association of University Women. She leaves behind her husband of 69 years, S. Lee; her children: Andrea Wasserman of Lido Beach, Steven Kanner of Lincoln, Massachusetts and Ellen Kanner of Huntington; by her brother, Jerry Frumkin of Potomac, Maryland; by seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 10 nieces and nephews; as well as other loved ones and many friends.
Her funeral took place March 4, 2007 at the Gutterman's Funeral Home in Woodbury, followed by interment in New Montefiore Cemetery in Farmingdale.
|
for larger version       Ads have a Patent Pending. Click Here for More Information |
||||
