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Elaine Myra Greenberg
Elaine Myra Greenberg
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Elaine Greenberg Obituary
Elaine Myra Greenberg loved sending people postcards.
"She would call you up to tell you she had sent you one," said her sister, Karen Rappleye. "Then she would call you up when you got it. She wanted to see if you were enjoying it."
The cards were often funny, her sister said. "She sent my husband a birthday card that said, `Don't worry about getting older, I'll come over and dust you.' "
Ms. Greenberg, 56, was known as the "cool aunt" in her family. And why not? How many aunts teach their nieces and nephews to drink and gamble? Her sister did not mind. "She was doing it so she could keep an eye on them," she said.
While she enjoyed some vices, Ms. Greenberg also loved New York City's cultural offerings. She had season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera, often went to the theater and spent many hours at her favorite museum, the American Museum of Natural History.
A financial services consultant for Compaq, she was attending a technology conference on the 106th floor of 1 World Trade Center on Sept. 11 when it was attacked.
Mrs. Rappleye remembers one card in particular that her sister sent. One day, Ms. Greenberg played hooky from work and went to Atlantic City with her roommate, Susan Price. She sent her sister a card. It read: "Having a wonderful day. Ferris Bueller."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jane Leonard
September 11, 2024
A day very much like to day 23 years ago you were close to retiring to enjoy the Berkshires with your partner. All we get is today. Thinking of you my friend. RIP.
Jane Leonard
September 11, 2021
It is hard to imagine that 20 years have passed since the towers fell. You were a great mentor and good friend. You are missed and I am sorry that you were not able to enjoy the retirement that you were looking forward to with Susan. Thinking of you on this sad 20th anniversary of a terrible day. NEVER forgotten!
jane leonard
September 11, 2020
Pausing on this 19th anniversary to again recall the memories with you. You often kept me company on my ride home from the train schooling me on the ways of lower Manhattan and chuckling at my lack of savvy of the ways of Wall Street. Thanks for the mentoring and friendship. Gone but not forgotten and forever appreciated.
Nina
September 8, 2020
I have the honor of reading her obituary at our school's 9/11 memorial this year. Blessings and peace to the familiy during this difficult time.
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Jane Leonard
September 11, 2019
18 years later and still as if it was yesterday. Gone but not forgotten. Thinking of you on this sad anniversary. RIP Elaine.
Jane Leonard
September 11, 2018
Thinking of you on this sad anniversary. RIP Elaine.
Jane Leonard
September 11, 2017
On this sad 16th anniversary thinking of you.
Edythe Richman
September 11, 2017
Read about her as they announced her name. Great sense of humor.
Jane Leonard
September 11, 2016
Gone but not forgotten. Thinking of you on this sad anniversary.
September 10, 2016
I can't believe it has been 15 years since that awful day, and every single year I can still remember it like that first day, shocked and angry. You are never forgotten!
Lim Vo
Jane Leonard
September 11, 2015
14 years have not dulled the impact of the loss. This day will always represent the loss of your friendship and professional mentoring to me. RIP my dear friend. You are missed.
September 8, 2015
am sorry for your lost ......
jane leonard
September 11, 2014
13 years gone by and in some ways it feels like yesterday and others very long ago. RIP my friend. You are missed.
Pat Molloy
October 23, 2013
I worked with Elaine several times the summer before that horrible day in September. She was just a terrific person.
I was facilitating several account planning workshops for Compaq that summer, and Elaine had just returned from vacation and was hobbling around on crutches. She came into the first session, but told me she probably wouldn't be able to attend the others, since she was so backed up. I asked her to please try, and she was there for every one! What a trooper she was. I remember thinking what great friends we could be.
Every time I hear about September 11th, I think of her. And here it is, 12 years later, and my heart is still so heavy. Reading all these comments just makes me realize what an opportunity I missed to get to know this terrific woman.
Every time I am in New York, I visit the WTC and pray for Elaine and her colleagues, and ask her to pray for me. Somehow, I know she does.
Maria Lanka
September 11, 2013
Elaine was a kind and loving person. I worked with her when I was 8-9 months pregnant with my son. She was always very considerate of my condition but expected me to deliver the work that she assigned me. I still cry every time I hear her name read on the anniversary of that horrible day.
jane leonard
September 11, 2013
In my thoughts and close to my heart Elaine. Twelve years have passed and it still seems surreal. RIP.
Robert Shea
April 1, 2013
I worked for Elaine in pre-sales support in the Sperry New York Financial and Manufacturing Branch in the late 70's. I enjoyed working with Elaine and found her to be demanding and fair. In particular, I remember working on the Kidder Peabody benchmark for a three million dollar 90/80 computer system. When we won the contract, the sales team had a nice night out on the town to celebrate. Elaine knew how to work hard and also knew how to have a good time. Rest in peace.
jane leonard
September 11, 2012
Pausing on this somber 11th anniversary of that tragic day and remembering the good times with you. Miss you!
September 11, 2011
I had the pleasure of meeting Elaine when my colleague and I visited New York. Elaine took time out and showed us around. Thank you for the memory, rest in peace!
Lim Vo
Sunnyvale, CA
jane
September 11, 2011
10 years ago.. hard to believe it!
Miss you!
jane leonard
September 11, 2010
In my thoughts.. Miss you Elaine!
Kristine
October 26, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
October 25, 2006
In remembrance....
D J
September 7, 2006
May God bless your soul and may you rest in peace.
Steve Usher
September 11, 2004
I'm watching the tributes on television, now three years after the attack, Sept. 11, 2004. I googled Elaine's name to find this tribute web site. I think of Elaine often. These tributes are a great addition to her memory.
Elaine was the only person that I'm aware I knew among the victims of that horrific terrorist act. I worked with Elaine and had visited her on several ocassions when in New York. She had set-up visits to several different financial institutions and banks, so that we could discuss sales force and contact center automation. She was a sharp, hardworking lady, yet personable and outgoing, with a way of saying exactly what she thought, without being offensive. During the Christmas season, the year prior to 9/11, she took the time one evening to show myself and another colleague around New York City, with all the Christmas lights and decorations. We walked all around Rochefeller Center, 5th Avenue, the Plaza Hotel and many other places, ending up at an Italian restaurant for a great dinner. I'll always be appreciative of her comraderie at work and for the selfless efforts she made on our behalf that holiday season to make our stay special, while away from our families.
May God take care of her and bless her family.
Steve Usher
Issaquah, WA
Richard Kelman
September 11, 2002
..ah the good old days at Univac in New York..and Elaine was the life of many a party and often the hostess too. But she worked as hard as she partied and as someone said she took no prisoners in defence of her clients and her fellows.
I heard her name read this morning at the WTC site and remembering what a lifelong New Yorker she was it seemed sadly likely that it was her. We all worked down there when the WTC was being held...they demolished some bars we knew to build it, so perhaps it was appropriate that she would be still be at the centre of the action. She was quite something.
Larry Pearl
September 10, 2002
Tuesday, Sept 10, 2002. NYC
This is my first trip to New York since last Sept 11 and came across Elaine's name while planning my visit to the site tomorrow.
I worked for Elaine when I was with Digital's New York TP Resource Center.
Elaine, we'll miss you.
Larry
Kriti Kapoor
August 13, 2002
I had the pleasure of working with Elaine during my two-year stint with Compaq in New York. My interactions with Elaine were always warm, friendly and cheerful -- just the way she was. She'd always call me kiddo.
I left New York City just 10 days before Sept. 11 and could have never imagined in my wildest dreams that anything like this would happen.
My heart goes out to Elaine's family and loved ones. She will be dearly missed.
Kriti Kapoor
Carol Worden
March 14, 2002
My dear friend Elaine. On that fateful day I sent you an e-mail hoping to get your reply that you were all right. On Wednesday I connected with your pager and left a message for you to return my call. On Thursday I called your roommate Susan and heard that you had been in the North Tower. My God Elaine, what shocking news! Over the 30+ years that we have known each other, you embodied all the love one could have from a sister. You took care of this "country mouse" when I had business in NYC on the projects we shared working for Sperry. You religiously remained in contact each holiday season. In the 90's you took time out to show Ron and I what a crab bash was, followed by the best cheese cake in NYC. Thank you for being you, for the love you gave to all who knew you. God bless you and keep you always.
Lisa Russo
March 11, 2002
Elaine--a very bright woman... I will never forget all the times you helped me out on that busy project in Direct Markets at Merrill Lynch... Thanks so much for your warmth and professionalism... You will always be in my thoughts and prayers...
Jerilyn Schweitzer
February 18, 2002
Elaine was my cousin; actually my father's first cousin, which made her my first cousin once removed. Even though we lived in different cities, she always made the effort to be there for the family. Elaine was one of the few New York cousins who came down to Washington for my wedding, although she avoided the photographer like the plague. As a result, the only photograph I have of Elaine is of part of her right arm, taken as she sat during the ceremony and couldn't politely get out of the way.
Elaine managed to get to every family event, the sad as well as the happy. The last time I saw her, she gave me a ride to the family cemetary out on the Island when Uncle Irving passed away. It is both tragic and ironic that I won't have the chance to pay my respects to the one who never failed to be there for the family when it really mattered.
Rest in peace Elaine. You are missed more than you probably could have realized.
Eugene Klausman
February 9, 2002
Elaine, I still hear your hearty laugh! It seems to me now that we were at Univac forever.
Anonymous
January 28, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN ELAIN MYRA GREENBERG AND MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HER WONDERFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01.AMEN
karen rappleye
January 17, 2002
Elaine was my sister. Elaine still is my sister, in my heaRT FOREVER AND EVER. i THINK ABOUT HER EVERY DAY AND THE FUN AND LAUGHTER WE SHARED. i HAVE A TROVE OF FUNNY STORIES SHE WOULD HAVE LOVED HEARING AND NO ONE TO TELL THEM TO. SHE LOVED PRANKS, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHICKEN FAT(!). THE LIGHT OF HER LIFE WERE HER TWO CATS, SHAKESPEARE AND SCHATZY. NEVER TOO TIRED TO TICKLE THEM OR SMILE AT THEIR EARLY WAKING READY TO PLAY AND EAT.
SHE WAS THE AUNT YOUNGSTERS DREAM ABOUT. SHE TOOK HER NIECES AND NEPHEWS TO SPECIAL EVENTS, TAUGHT THEM TO DRINK AND GAMBLE, VISITED THE U.S. OPEN AND SHOPPING AT LOEHMANN'S. WHEN OUR SON PLANNED TO MARRY, SHE AND HER BESTFRIEND OF 38 YEARS, SUSAN, WROTE A COMPUTER TEST FOR OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW TO ANSWER BEFORE SHE GAVE HER 'CONSENT.' "DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP?" "DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP AT LOEHMANNS?"
WE DHALL MISS THE LIGHT THAT SHE BROUGHT TO OUR LIVES. THE RECIPES FOR GARLIC ROASTED TOMATOES, THE READINESS TO SHARE A FUNNY STORY AND HER TENDER, KIND HEART.
KAREN RAPPLEYE, BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN
geri steele
January 7, 2002
January 7, 2002
Elaine had called me last June to “catch-up”. I was traveling and she left a v-mail. It had been a while since we had last talked. I picked up the phone a number of times to call her back but something else always seemed more important. With a very heavy heart I did finally call her back – the morning of September 11; then again that morning; then that afternoon. On September 12 I tracked down other Compaq folks who knew that she was scheduled to be in the WTC that morning. I cried.
I met Elaine in the late 70’s while I was working for Unisys in Boston. She had a reputation as a “take no prisoners” technical expert and an excellent project manager. She was always “New York City” to those of us who, at that time, had not had the pleasure of experiencing the city ourselves. I can relate to the story that Lois Tyra wrote here on January 1, 2002. You always knew where you stood with Elaine and what she was thinking.
Many years ago, I spent a weekend with Elaine and Susan at their condo in the Berkshires. We went to Tanglewood on Saturday night and listened to wonderful music, gossiped, giggled, and ate all kinds of interesting foods. The next morning Elaine took me to my first auction. As I recall, she purchased a lovely antique pearl bracelet. She was happy.
A mutual friend often reminisces about the fun she had at a Unisys business meeting in Atlantic City when Elaine taught her how to gamble. Our mutual friend still enjoys gambling! Elaine certainly knew how to enjoy life.
The last time that I saw Elaine was in 1996 during a business trip to New York. I stepped into one of the revolving doors from the foyer of a building as Elaine stepped into it from outside of the building. What were the chances of that happening we wondered aloud? We hugged and laughed and chatted and said, “let’s keep in touch”. I am now better at “keeping in touch”. I think that a lot of people are better at it.
Bye Elaine. You are missed.
Lois Tyra
January 1, 2002
Elaine will always represent the hip slick New Yorker to me. I worked for her at Unisys from June 1987 through December 1988. Early on, as we were walking down the street, she told me I was either going to have to stop looking like a tourist or stop carrying a purse. I still don't carry a purse (that other option was undoable).
She told me she went west of the Hudson River once, to Salt Lake City, where they couldn't deal with a woman smoking, wearing slacks, now and then having a drink, now and then saying a swear word. She went home and did not feel the need to go across the river again.
She was a wonderful woman, who was cordial and thoughtful and witty and sophisticated. I did not have the nerve to look at the list until early December--I have had other losses recently.
When JFK died, Daniel Patrick Moynihan was quoted as saying, "We shall learn to laugh again, but we shall never be young again."
Until later, Elaine. And may the God of all of us explain this to you in a way that you find acceptable.
Teresa Jahn
December 30, 2001
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Marilyn & Harvey Chiat
December 25, 2001
We just heard about the tragic death of Elaine when we received a phone call from her roomate. We only correspond with Elaine at the Holiday Season and did not know she worked in the WTC. She was a dear friend and will be missed. May she rest in peace.
Susan Prager
November 30, 2001
I've known Elaine all my life. Her mother and mine were best friends, and our fathers palled around back in the day. After Elaine's dad died and her mom moved to Florida (over 65 and Jewish; it's the law) she and I saw each other frequently down there, as I went to visit my own parents. When my mother became ill, Elaine's advice was essential in my forming a care strategy. She shared her resources, ideas, and energy, and offerred Rose's care aides to help in setting up what was to be the final months of my mother's life. Without her help, honestly, I do not know what I would have done.
Elaine hated Florida- way too hot and humid for her- but she nonetheless went religiously to look in on Rose, manage her affairs, pay her bills, and eventually manage her illness, along with her sister Karen, in the final weeks.
This is a woman who consistently thought of others first. She always looked in on my father once my mom died, always made a point of calling and seeing him on her trips to visit Rose. Funny, kind and ever thoughtful, once she knew your taste she would try to find things for you she thought you would appreciate. It saved her boss's life on that black day.
At Elaine's service, he told me how they had met that morning to go to a meeting in the North Tower. It was unusual, because their office was midtown; in fact, he lived in Virginia and had come into town just for the meeting.
That morning, Elaine pulled a box out of a shopping bag and gave it to him. He was surprised because it wasn't his birthday or other gift-giving day, but he opened the box and found a tie. It was an "art" tie, that she had seen in a museum. Monet or Manet, one of the Impressionists- she thought he would like it, which he did. He said, can I put it on now? She told him he couldn't wear it with the shirt he had on, so he said, well, I have a white shirt in the hotel, but it needs ironing. I'll be a few minutes late, but... I really want to wear this tie."
So she went upstairs to the 106th floor and he went to his room. He hadn't ironed anything in some time, so it took him a while to do the ironing. Meantime, Elaine called to say, take this bank of elevators upstairs. OK, he said, and shortly left for the meeting. He was in the lobby when the plane hit.
I asked him, how are you doing? You must have terrible guilt; after all, you survived and she didn't. He said, well, I am trying to come to terms with it. I have been going to funerals for a month. My whole team was killed that day. All of them were in that room, except for one man, who was in the plane that hit the tower.
The gentleman's name is Joe Lott.
Elaine would have loved this story, and she would have been proud to have been his "angel", although she wouldn't have liked that description very much, I suspect.
I miss her every day, and feel so proud of her. She was family to me, as I was to her. She was a beautiful person, a great lady. The world was a better place with her in it.
Maybe now I can finally take her out of my address book.
Bye, Elaine.
Susan
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