ELAINE KONIGSBURG

KONIGSBURG Elaine Lobl Konigsburg passed away on April 19, 2013. She was a teacher, author and artist. Her novels and illustrations delight children throughout the world. E. L. Konigsburg was born February 10, 1930 to Adolph Lobl and Beulah Klein Lobl. She grew up in Farrell, Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University. In 1952, she married David Konigsburg and moved to Jacksonville, Florida. The family relocated several times during Dr. Konigsburg's career, but eventually retuned to Jacksonville and settled at Ponte Vedra Beach. When her youngest child started kindergarten, E. L. Konigsburg began to write and illustrate children's books. Her first novel, Jennifer, Hecate, McBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, was a Newbery honor book in 1968, and her second novel, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler , won the Newbery Medal in 1968. She is the only author to be both winner and runner-up in the same year. Her 13th novel, The View From Saturday, was awarded the 1997 Newbery Medal. E. L Konigsburg wrote and painted throughout her life. She authored 16 children's novels, illustrated 3 picture books, and published a collection of her speeches. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages and made into movies and plays. Ingrid Bergman starred as Mrs. Frankweiler in a 1973 adaptation of her most famous book. Father's Arcane Daughter won the sweeps week ratings in 1990 as a Hallmark Hall of Fame special called Caroline. She was a featured speaker at schools, universities, and libraries. New York City and the Metropolitan Museum of Art never failed to inspire her. Although she enjoyed meeting new people and seeing new places, she always looked forward to being home in Ponte Vedra Beach. In fine weather, she would walk along the shore and search for shark's teeth. David Konigsburg passed away in August 2001. He and Mrs. Konigsburg had been married for 49 years. Her sister, Harriett Rosenberg, her brothers-in-law Leonard Konigsburg, Marvin Konigsburg, Leonard Rosenberg, and her sister-in-law Mae Konigsburg also predeceased her. E. L. Konigsburg is survived by: son Paul, his wife Lesley and their daughters, Anna and Meg; daughter Laurie, her husband Robert, son Sam, Sam's wife Beth and their children Charlie and Garrett; son Ross and his daughters Amy and Sarah; sister Sherry and her husband Michael; brother-in-law Sidney Konigsburg; and sisters-in-law Shirley Konigsburg and Debby Konigsburg. Many nephews, nieces and cousins also survive her. E. L. Konigsburg was a true friend and a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was generous with her time and talents. She was fun. Friends and family take comfort that her writing and art leave people throughout the world with a lasting connection to her. Services will be at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery on April 22, 2013 at 1 P.M. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com