Elaine Falstine

Elaine Falstein died October 6, 2012. She grew up in Chicago surrounded by family and many dear friends. She began her life's adventures as a salesperson for a Chicago aviation company where she sold single-engine Piper Cub airplanes. It was quite a sight to watch as she and the pilot took off from Midway Airport with her hair and her crinolines flying in the breeze. Potential purchasers often became buyers. Elaine was ever the successful sales person - everything from airplanes to health insurance, typesetting, to the designer fashions which were forever her passion. She had great taste matched with great style and her grace and elegance caused heads to turn with admiration wherever and whenever she entered a room. She designed homes and apartments in Chicago with her exceptional design abilities and attention to detail, and she was very successful. Elaine moved from Chicago, Illinois to Rancho Mirage, California in 1987 where, as an active member of Tamarisk Country Club, she fell in love with golf, tennis and bridge. She was a great dancer and a passionate collector of art, sculpture, and art glass. She selected the site for her home in Rancho Mirage from rough plans of the private development and designed both the house and the grounds herself. She perfected every detail both inside and out and was very proud of the final result. Elaine's real estate acumen continued throughout her lifetime, designing and building speculative luxury homes in the California desert. With her quirky personality, Elaine was fun, funny, and outspoken. If you were her friend, you knew you were loved. And if you were not her friend, well, you knew that too. She loved and was loved by her husband, Dr. Maurice Falstein, who she fondly referred to as Marty. He pre-deceased her in 2005. She leaves two loving daughters, Susan Haber of Connecticut and Diane Maier of Arizona, her son-in-law, Murray Haber and her grandchildren, David Haber and Sarah Haber of Connecticut and Lindsay Maier of St. Louis. She also leaves her dearest friend, Michael Smith of Rancho Mirage. Elaine died peacefully at Eisenhower Hospital with her loved ones beside her. The funeral and internment will be private, and contributions can be sent to Eisenhower Hospital, the Palm Springs Art Museum, or the McCallum Theatre, each of which she supported with great interest and generosity. Elaine, you will be missed always by everyone who knew and loved you.