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Elaine Greenspan, 81, passed away at home on Thursday, May 13, 2010. Elaine Greenspan was born in Chicago in 1929, the daughter of immigrant Jewish parents who came from Poland and Russia. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a Ph.B. and from Roosevelt University with a B.A. Then she and Lenny, her husband, craved an adventure and they moved to Albuquerque for graduate school. She received her M.A. in English and Creative Writing at UNM in 1953. She taught for nearly 30 years in the Albuquerque Public Schools, the last 18 years at Eldorado High School. She slipped easily into the role of teaching and loved the excitement of it. Her favorite activity was noisy discussion about controversial topics. But students said she was tough, the supreme compliment for a teacher. Also a writer, she specialized in education topics and young adult short stories. Her book A Teacher's Survival Guide went through three printings. In between she wrote for House Beautiful, McCall's, Family Circle, The English Journal, and other magazines. In retirement she wrote columns several times a year in the Mature Life section of the Albuquerque Journal. In these articles she aimed for a humorous tone that would reach out to those undergoing the indignities of aging. She was unafraid to tell of her own experiences, such as struggling with the cell phone, coping with airplanes, and fighting with her husband when she drove and he made comments. Elaine also served happily as a docent at the wonderful Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. She loved to talk, but she listened too. Friendship, an aptitude she inherited from her mother, was a vital fulfillment in her life. But her most important life experience was marrying Lenny, who she knew since her teenage years, and raising three children who were all adventurous and interesting. Like their parents, they left the family home and moved elsewhere. Here is the list: Jan Kaufman, daughter, and husband David with children Annessa and Daniel. They live in Chevy Chase, MD. Todd Greenspan lives in Berkeley, CA. Paul Greenspan and wife Mindy live in Austin, Texas with children Aaron, Hannah, and Sarah. Always an avid reader, Elaine was never without a book. She used the Tony Hillerman Library behind Hoffmantown for over 50 years. Her own book is in the stacks. Services will be held at French ~ Wyoming Chapel on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Congregation Albert Section of Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. SE. Donations may be made in Elaine's memory to Albuquerque Museum of Art, 2000 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, (505) 243-7255. Please visit our online guest book for Elaine at www.RememberTheirStory.com French 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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