Fay Greenwald

Fay Teichman Greenwald led a long, independent, and adventurous life. At 21, she joined the Navy WAVES. Thanks to her fierce intelligence, composure, and grit, within two years she rose from air traffic controller to lead tower officer at Naval Airbase Wildwood, NJ, where she trained new pilots to land on aircraft carriers, the only woman on the East Coast to fulfill that role. At 56, again as a result of her intelligence and dedication, within two years after receiving her Ph. D in English Literature from NYU, she rose from adjunct professor to Chair of the English Department at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Along with her esteemed colleagues Ellie Kopmar and Peg Morris, she ran a department of over 200 instructors in multiple locations.

She brought the same tenacity and dedication to raising her children Elissa and Robert and to enjoying and amusing her step-granddaughter Dr. Melissa Prusky and her grandson Matthew Greenwald. She was married for nearly 71 years to the late Dennis Greenwald, whom she loved passionately. She will be greatly missed.

The family wish to thank her caregivers Naaja, Genevieve, Womor, Leticia, and Wilhelmina, who enabled her to conclude her 103-year-long life in dignity and comfort.

Donations may be made to the Greenwald Funds at Mercy University, one for faculty development and the other for student scholarships.

Memorial Services for Fay will take place on Sunday June 14, 2026 1:30PM at The Riverside Memorial Chapel 100 Saw Mill River Road Hawthorne, New York 10532. For any additional information, please call the Chapel at 914-664-6800.