Elenore Donnerstein

Elenore Donnerstein (Ellie), age 96, of Tamarac and formerly of Miami, passed away December 24 at her home in Jensen Beach. Ellie was born in Brooklyn, NY, where, as a young girl, she loved to spend time walking along the beach in Brighton. During the late 1930's and early 40's, Ellie worked as a bookkeeper and cashier at the original Lindy's restaurant on Broadway where she was able to meet many celebrities. In 1939, she met her beloved husband, Ben and they married a few months later in May 1940. They remained happily married and devoted to each other for 54 years until Ben passed away in 1994. In 1946,

Ellie and Ben moved to Miami with their two young sons, Richard and Ed. Shortly thereafter, Ellie became the property manager and bookkeeper for JC Devine Company which owned many Miami Beach landmarks on South Beach including The Famous Restaurant on Washington Avenue and 6th Street. Ellie was a devoted employee of the company and continued to work as its property manager part-time after the birth of her daughter, Fran, in 1957. In the 1970's Ellie got her real estate license and worked for the Keyes Company selling houses and eventually was instrumental in the sale of commercial properties on South Beach. After living in North Miami Beach for many years, Ellie and Ben moved to Tamarac where she continued to enjoy playing her longtime favorite game, Mahjong. She also enjoyed casino cruises and could keep a poker face with the best of them.

For many years, she was an active member of the Sisterhood of the Knights of Pythias, Roosevelt Lodge where she made many lifelong friends. She supported many charities including the March of Dimes, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.

Ellie was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Ben, her loving parents, William and Etta, her adored sister, Lillian Lerner and younger brother, Sonny. She is survived by her devoted sons, Richard (Sue) and Edward (Deborah) of Tucson, AZ and her adoring daughter, Fran Jackson (Randy) of Jensen Beach, FL. She will be deeply missed by her four cherished grandchildren, Erin and Molli Jackson, Michael Donnerstein and Carolyn Karmikel as well as her four precious great grandchildren, Bennett and Elliott Donnerstein and Adelyn and Spencer Karmikel.

Services will be held at noon Sunday at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel, 20955 Biscayne Blvd , Aventura with interment to follow at Mount Sinai Cemetery in North Miami.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of Ellie's favorite charities listed above.