Elise Levy STEINER

STEINER, Elise LevyAge 94, died peacefully at home Saturday evening, November 26, 2011. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Berney B. Steiner; her parents, Elise and Jacob Levy, and her sisters, Jacklyn Pergament and Jeanne Levy. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Small (Stephen) and her grandsons, Charles Small and Jonathan Small. Elise was born in New Orleans, LA and, as a new bride in 1936, moved to Nashville where she has lived until her death. An avid golfer, intrepid traveler and gourmet cook, she lived life fully. While she never held a salaried position, she became a community leader and a professional volunteer for the many groups whose causes she believed in. She began her volunteer career with the American Red Cross during World War II, first rolling bandages, and serving coffee and meals to the troops moving through Union Station. She eventually chaired almost every committee at the Nashville Chapter and was affectionately known by the staff as "Mrs. Red Cross." Her other passions included Fifty Forward (formerly known as Senior Citizens), where she served as President of the Board and the first chair of the Endowment Fund; the Nashville Section, National Council of Jewish Women: President of the Board; The Temple: Secretary and later, Treasurer of the Board, as well as Sisterhood President and National Sisterhood Board member; The United Way: Chair of Allocations; Nashville Women's Golf Association: Board Chair; and Council on Aging: President of the Board. Other groups such as the Nashville Symphony, Jewish Family Service, Children's Family Service and the Girl Scouts, asked her to head their fundraisers or serve on their boards. And these were lifelong commitments; in fact she chaired the boards of both Senior Citizens and Council on Aging when she was 85. Elise Steiner received numerous honors over the years for her philanthropy and her leadership, including the YWCA Woman of the Achievement Award, and the Mary Catherine Strobel Award for Community Volunteer of the Year. However, it was the host of lifelong friends she made that she treasured, second only to the love of her family. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 30th at The Temple. Burial will follow at The Temple Cemetery, after which visitation with the family will take place at The Temple. Honorary Pallbearers: Felicia Anchor, Dr. Larry Averbuch, Sis Cohn, Lisa Davis, Frank Ghertner, Suzy Glazer, Sarah Graber, Kent Harrell, Dr. Richard Heller, Mitzie Russell, Melvin Schlanger, Sheila Schott, Carol Smith, Marjorie Zager. Active Pallbearers: Dr. Lawrence Berman, Dr. Jeffrey Eskind, Richard Eskind, James Fishel, Harris Gilbert, Dr. Kenneth Jacobs, Chance Martin, Joel Morris, Roy Smith, John Spears, Jim Straus, Dr. Larry Wolfe, Julian Zander. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nashville Chapter of the American Red Cross, Fifty Forward, Jewish Family Service or The Temple Endowment Fund.