Irene Theodore Heinstein

On August 30th, 1938, in Tuckahoe, NY, Irene Theodore Heinstein, also known as "Nini," was born to Greek immigrant parents, who ran the local diner and were forever known as the "Greeks" in the close-knit Westchester County community. As the youngest of three, she was adored by her older siblings, Nicholas and Alyce, both of whom passed recently (Alyce just months ago). Irene was a bright and energetic child, full of energy and curiosity, sometimes disappearing as a toddler out of the house only to be found exploring blocks away. That trailblazing spirit served her throughout her life.

In 1958, Irene followed her big sister, Alyce, out to Berkeley, California, and attended UC Berkeley, where she graduated with a degree in Political Science. As a student at UC Berkeley, her intelligence, passion for justice, bravery, and endless energy was put to great use.

She was one of the early members of SLATE, formed in 1958 at UC Berkeley, which significantly influenced the subsequent Free Speech Movement and counterculture era. Irene and SLATE focused also on combatting racial discrimination off and on campus. Irene protested against the House Committee on Un-American Activities on the steps of SF City Hall. Irene helped organize reunions for SLATE in subsequent years, and her strong beliefs in social justice at all levels of society were a constant presence in her actions and thoughts.

Irene was married to Martin Israel Heinstein from 1966 until his death in 2011. Her desire for a family of her own became a reality when she had fraternal twins, Michael and Rebecca. Irene loved to be a Mom and she mothered many other children and young adults in her life. Irene threw herself into family life, filling up hours with kids' activities including baseball, bowling, dance, and music, volunteering at schools, planning vacations in Incline Village in Lake Tahoe, or cheering on her beloved Giants and the 49ers with her husband. Many at El Cerrito High School remember Irene and Martin as one of the most active parents in the school.

At the same time as being a Mom and working part-time accounting jobs, Irene pursued her own incredibly varied interests, including a passion for genealogy, British TV, bingo, blackjack, trains, and research for authors, just to name a few! How she balanced it all we do not know, her endless energy, warm heart, and fantastic memory certainly served her well.

Once Michael and Rebecca went off to college, Irene started working at the City of Emeryville, where she excelled as a Finance Officer, and made many lifelong friends. She traveled the world with her sister Alyce, went to the theater in SF, followed her favorite sporting teams on TV and on cruises, talked daily with her sister, Alyce, pursued her passions, and generally lived a truly full life.

In her final years, Irene bravely met the challenges life often creates, with her faithful dog Elly by her side. She nursed her husband, Martin, for over seven years, after his debilitating stroke. She dealt with the gradual onset of dementia without complaint. It was not easy, but despite all of this her passion, energy, love of life, and warm heart always shined through.

She is survived by her children, Michael Heinstein (Kye Heinstein) and Rebecca Thompson (Kevin Thompson), and her grandchildren, Dylan and Ethan Heinstein.

A Memorial for Irene will be held on December 4, 2022, at 7735 Curry Ave, El Cerrito, CA. 1:30-5:30pm.