Barbara Elferink Greenstein, age 93, of Princeton, NJ, died peacefully at home on October 16, 2025, after a brief illness. Active until her final days, her children were by her side for her final weeks.
Born in Rochester, NY, Barbara received her BA in English from Vassar College (1953). She then moved to Boston, where she worked first for Harvard University Press and then as a research assistant to author Bernard DeVoto. Barbara met her husband, Fred I. Greenstein, in 1956, when both were attending graduate programs at Yale University. The couple married in 1957. After earning an MA in English (Yale 1956) and teaching certification, Barbara was employed as a primary school teacher at the Foote School. During their marriage, the Greensteins moved several times when Fred was either promoted or took sabbatical leaves.
In 1962 the family moved from New Haven to Middletown, CT. At that time, Barbara dedicated her time to full-time parenting and periodically taught classes at Middlesex Community College. In 1973, the family moved to Princeton, NJ. Once the family was settled, Barbara worked as an editor and writer at Educational Testing Service, and later made a mid-life career change to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Service at Bryn Mawr College (1982). Barbara then worked as a clinical social worker at several agencies during her career, including the ARC of Somerset County, Trenton/Hopewell Family Service, Corner House Behavioral Health, and Trinity Counseling Center. As a certified LCSW, she later maintained a private practice in Lawrenceville, NJ. After retiring she advocated for abused and neglected children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Barbara also served in leadership positions for many local organizations, including Evergreen Forum, Princeton Pro Musica, and Musical Amateurs.
Barbara was an avid reader who participated in multiple book groups, and had just finished leading her final group in early September. A lover of all things music, Barbara was an accomplished pianist and flutist; she later dabbled with trombone and oboe. A talented soprano, Barbara was a devoted longtime member of Princeton Pro Musica and was a member of the Princeton Society of Musical Amateurs. She attended countless concerts, operas, and theater performances.
Barbara and her late husband Fred were enthusiastic travelers, having toured 32 countries across five continents. Living abroad for extended periods during Fred’s sabbaticals in England and Australia were pivotal experiences for Barbara. Her love of nature included family walks in the woods, gardening, and bird watching. Creative skills included poetry writing, handmade wooden toys, photography, basketry, needlepoint, crochet, and knitting countless children’s sweaters with matching vests for teddy bears. Naturally, she was the chief repair person in the house.
At Princeton Windrows, Barbara was a longtime editor and writer for the Window on Windrows Newsletter, she volunteered on the Landscape Committee, and was a regular at the Mexican Train Dominoes table. Her thoughtful ear, intellect, spirit of participation, no-nonsense nature, and creativity inspired Barbara’s children and grandchildren.
Predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Fred I. Greenstein (Princeton Professor Emeritus), and by her sister Elizabeth Cayer, Barbara is survived by her son Michael Greenstein (Nettie Kurtz Greenstein), and her twin daughters Amy Dahn (William Dahn) and Jessica Greenstein (Eric Hollman); and her grandchildren Ryan Dahn (Katya Motyl), Emma Greenstein, Cory Dahn (Tyler Van Derveer), Nathan Greenstein, Benjamin Hollman, Samuel Hollman; and her great-grandson, Felix Dahn-Motyl. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Maples, her brother George Elferink, as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial gathering for family and friends will take place on November 2, 2025 at Princeton Windrows, 2000 Windrow Drive, Princeton, NJ from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The memorial service begins at 10:30 a.m. with private interment following at Princeton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Vassar College Fund, Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, or Princeton Pro Musica.
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