MINA GREENSTEIN Obituary

GREENSTEIN--Mina Bernice (Baylis), July 11, 1935 - March 25, 2020. Our beautiful mom has passed away after a brief illness, cutting short a full and active life. Proudly born and raised in Brooklyn to Hyman Charles and Jeanne Levine Baylis, Mina graduated from PS 241, Erasmus Hall High School, The Cooper Union and Columbia University. In 1961, she married the love of her life, Marvin Neal Greenstein, and together they started a family in Manhattan. Mina was an AIGA award-winning graphic designer and art director of children's books. In retirement, she was an active volunteer with The Cooper Union, Gracie Mansion, Congregation Or Zarua, and other organizations. She was also a regular at the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, NYC Ballet, the Peoples' Symphony Concerts and more. She was passionate about Brooklyn, NYC, politics, justice, art, and especially her family and friends. She was also a fabulous cook and will long be remembered for her challah, meringue mushrooms, cheesecake, and egg creams. Mina was predeceased by her husband, parents, and brother Carl Baylis. She is survived by children Elizabeth and John Greenstein, daughter-in-law Rebecca Rubel, grandchildren Noa and Daniel Greenstein, nieces Michele Baylis Copelotti and Ruth Anne Baylis, and by many loving friends and family. Private graveside ceremony on March 27, with a public service at a date in the future. Contact Congregation Or Zarua for virtual shiva details. Donations to The Cooper Union - School of Art.

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Published by New York Times on Mar. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for MINA GREENSTEIN

7 Entries

Mimi Harrison

March 21, 2024

I had the good fortune to meet Mina Greenstein when I was hired as a design trainee at Knopf/Pantheon Books for Young Readers in 1978. Mina taught me, a green horn, so much about design, and publishing, and Orwashers onion pockets during my six years there. At 30 and in love with my boyfriend, Mina always called me Peter Pan for my gallivanting and lighthearted ways. I´ll never forget Mina and the talent and patience and humor she brought to our crew. Oh, and her baked goods. She was a treasure, and I´ll always remember her. My condolences, however belated, to John and Elizabeth.

Mimi Harrison

July 7, 2022

It´s taken two years to learn that Mina has died. I don´t think you ever actually knew me, but I worked with your mother as a designer at Knopf for six years. As a trainee, I was in awe of her professionalism--and her baked goods. Beside her own cheesecakes and quiches, she introduced me to Orwasher´s onion rolls. I´ll never forget her.

Ana Cerro

January 31, 2021

I was just thinking of a funny story Mina told me when we worked at Orchard Books in the late 90s and learned about her passing on Google. She was an incredible designer, a mensch, a hardcore foodie. I still remember the chow fun she'd bring to the office from her favorite spot in Chinatown as if it were yesterday. May her memory be a blessing.

Theresa LaSalle

March 30, 2020

I only met Mina briefly a couple of times and it was obvious she was devoted to Gracie.

Paul Gunther

March 28, 2020

The Gracie Mansion Conservancy and all its various stakeholders as "The People's House "and residence of New York City mayors salute Mina Greenstein. We together mourn her loss. Above all we share condolences with her family, friends, and fellow worshipers. Her example for more than a decade as guide and teacher for the visiting public--local school children above all- leaves a lasting and inspiring example. For us her memory is a blessing. Sincerely, Paul Gunther, Executive Director , Gracie Mansion Conservancy

Harriet Sigerman

March 27, 2020

I worked with Mina when she was art director at Orchard Books in the late 1990s. She kept me in stitches with her wry comments and impatience with corporate nonsense. She absolutely loved New York City and all of its cultural riches, and she used to regale me with her many outings and trips to museums, galleries, and concert halls around the city. She wanted to savor all that New York had to offer. She was also so much fun to work with and was such a talented art director. I am sorry to say that we fell out of touch. She was so vibrant, and I hope her family will take comfort in many warm and loving memories of her.

Lois Atkinson

March 27, 2020

This dark time is all the darker that the brilliant light that was Mina has been extinguished. She will be remembered always with admiration and love.

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