Matthew Willi Orenstein, 36, passed away with his wife Kimberly Starbuck by his side on September 25, 2021. Matthew was born and grew up in Providence, RI, attended Martin Luther King School, The Henry Barnard School and graduated from The Wheeler School. For two summers, he was on the staff of the Providence Office of Cultural Affairs, working the outdoor concerts, assisting with sculptural installations for Capital Arts, and developing his taste in music. At Denison University, in Granville, Ohio, he discovered his passion for unraveling the wonders of the human mind and earned his B.A. in psychology. During a semester abroad in Bangor, Wales, Matt became enchanted with exploring places and cultures. He was awarded his clinical doctorate in psychology (Psy D) from Pacific University in Hillsboro, Oregon. Matt’s dissertation focused on therapeutic uses for meditation and evaluating various techniques for measuring its effects. Matt was among the early pioneers to employ meditation in therapy. At Denison and in grad school, he developed numerous close friendships and maintained constant communication with them over the subsequent years. He enhanced his clinical techniques by seeking advanced training in meditation, Gestalt Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In 2021, he earned his license in Massachusetts while serving as a clinical psychologist and group coordinator for Counseling Services at UMass Lowell.
Matt was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma in 2015. He refused to accept the dire prognosis when the cancer metastasized to his lungs in 2016, and he sought traditional and integrational therapies to chart his own treatment plan. He sought treatments across the US and in Austria, all the while completing his doctorate and building his career. Matt sat for his licensing exam while on aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. He authored a blog for his friends about this experience (Center of the Storm) and created and hosted a Facebook Group for fellow young adult sarcoma patients. Believing in the contribution of a healthy mind to physical healing, he meditated, flew trick kites on Nahant Beach in MA, joined therapeutic groups of young cancer patients and encouraged and inspired many. His perseverance, humor, and sense of hope were never extinguished by the cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Starbuck, the love of his life. Matt shared his two favorite places with Kim. He proposed atop Loon Mountain; and they were married in October of 2020 on Narragansett Beach. Kim and Matt lived in the Fresh Pond section of Cambridge, MA and delighted in the joys of their life together: their dogs, Cisco and Zuke, hiking, skiing, kayaking, photography, weird karaoke sessions and more. Kim walked by his side all the way, supported him during his illness and was often recruited to help him untangle his magnificent kites.
He was the adored son of Kenneth Orenstein and Barbara Feibelman and cherished brother of Clare Feiner (Jacob) and Uncle Bub to Graham and Liam Feiner. He was embraced by the Starbuck family, father-in-law Robert Starbuck, sister-in-law, Katie Bittker (Josh) and brother-in-law Ryan Starbuck (Franny) and nieces Ivy and Ryder and nephews Gray, Dean, and Zeke. He relished the love of his extended family: grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Matthew’s family is grateful for the professionalism and kindness of a myriad of devoted healthcare professionals.
Due to the current pandemic, the funeral will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Rosenberg Integrative Cancer Treatment and Research Institute, 6100 Glades Road Ste. 304, Boca Raton, FL 33434 or the Sarcoma Foundation of America, PO Box 98160, Washington, DC 20090-8160.
