Obituary of Adele B. Grinstein

Adele Grinstein February 27,1920 - November 21, 2019 Adele Grinstein of Beverly Hills Michigan, died in her home Thursday, November 21, 2019 at the age of 99. She was the loving wife of the late Dr. Alexander Grinstein. Adele worked tirelessly with him as editor of his many scholarly books, and as co-author of his last book Edwin Arlington Robinson Child of Scorn. She was a gifted pianist, spending many hours playing classical music accompanying Alex on the violin. Born in Buffalo, NY, daughter of Sam and Yetta Brotslaw, she grew up in Buffalo, attending the University of Buffalo for her undergraduate and masters degrees. Alex and Adele moved to Detroit in the early 1940s. In Detroit she pursued her studies at the Merrill Palmer Institute, as well as working with Fritz Redl at his camp for troubled children. Adele taught at the Roeper School (then called City and Country) for several years before beginning her career as a child psychologist. She pursued her career for many years before retiring to her job as full time grandmother. It was her love of paying attention to people that was at the heart of who she was. It was not something she did out of obligation, or a sense of duty. She loved listening, really listening to people talk about themselves-about their lives, their families, their joys and sorrows alike. Her true compassion for people was immediately apparent to anyone she encountered. Adele loved life, whether swimming in the ice cold water of an old slate quarry, or enjoying the simplest or the finest meals. She loved being in nature, although the she always marveled that the hikes Alex took her on were somehow uphill all the way. Adele Grinstein was predeceased by her husband Dr. Alexander Grinstein, her sister Marian (Don) Scribner, and her grandson Jonathan Grinstein-Camacho. She is survived by her brother Irving (Elaine) Brotslaw, her sons David (Christina Camacho) Grinstein and Richard (Nancy Taylor) Grinstein, her 4 living grandchildren, Sarah (Brielle Darren) Grinstein, Rachel Grinstein, Eliana (Matt) Johnston, and Mark Grinstein-Camacho, and one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, as well as a nephew, two nieces, and their children. Donations may be made in her name to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Nature Conservancy, two of her favorite causes.