Obituary of Olive Silverstein

Olive Silverstein, longtime resident of Syracuse, NY died Sunday May 2, 2010 at the Avalon Assisted Living Center in Wappinger Falls NY. Born Olive Jorgenson in 1917 in Perth Amboy NJ, she grew up in Tottenville, Staten Island in a time of unpaved roads and ice delivered by horse. A short haired tomboy, she swam at the beach and sledded in winter with her older sister, Mildred, and baby brother, Howard. Her passion for nature was kindled by her parents, Aasta and Emil, and fueled by exploring woods and ponds with friends. Later, she dated a hometown boy, Milt Silverstein, and prior to his shipping out to the Pacific in WWII, they got married in San Antonio TX. A lifelong passion for science led her to Hunter College and a B.S. in Chemistry. After the war, their son Roy was born, and they moved to California, where Amy and Paul were born. She worked in many types of labs, eventually specializing in hematology. Tragedy struck in 1967 when Roy died. They moved to Syracuse, partly to be nearer to family. There she worked at Upstate Medical Center in special hematology. She also supported Milt's pioneering work in chemical ecology. Tragedy struck again in 1977, when Amy died. Sustained by family and friends they re-built their life and time, slowly, eased some of the pain. Later, grandchildren and a great grandson brought new joys. Olive shouldered her challenges with a resiliency that you simply "do the best you can". She also had a positive, open hearted spirit with which she reached out to others. This was based partly on her strongly held belief that "we are all in this together". We will miss her. In addition to Roy and Amy, Olive is pre-deceased by Milt, Mildred and Howard. She is survived by Paul, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, her grandchildren (Brian, Ilana, Nava), great-grandson Matthias, sister-in-law Mary, her nieces and nephews, and their families. A memorial service will be held Saturday May 8, 2 PM at the First Unitarian Society of Syracuse, 250 Waring Road, Syracuse, NY. Olive and Milt had a deep love of nature. They especially enjoyed their local Pratt's Falls Park, where a memorial bench or tree will be placed. Donations in honor of Olive Silverstein should be sent to Onondaga County Commemorative Bench Program, Onondaga County Parks , 106 Lake Street, Liverpool, NY 13088 . Checks should be made out to Onondaga County Parks and the Memo should note O.Silverstein Bench.