Miriam (Gelfand) Oberstein

Miriam ‘Yummie’ Gelfand Oberstein, 46 years of age, of West Hartford died Thursday, March 26, 2015. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ, she was the daughter of Dr. Philip and Dr. Francine (Losen) Gelfand of Lake Mary, FL. From her Leesburg, FL Montessori start, Yummie went on to Leesburg High School and Brandeis University with a music major and education minor. She received a masters degree in Special Education at Teachers College at Columbia University and taught early childhood special education in New York City. Yummie went back to school at the Cantorial School at Jewish Theological Seminary. Once in Connecticut, she helped numerous special education children attain B’nai Mitvot, and taught voice and piano. Yummie taught music and directed musical programs at the Montesorri School of Greater Hartford for many years. She dedicated her life to her family, her music and the many children with whom she came in contact. She leaves her husband Dr. Robert Oberstein and her children Jordan and Maya; and three sisters, Corinne Lipnick and her husband Dr. Jessie Lipnick of Gainesville, FL, Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand and her husband Dr. Jonathan Boyd of London, England, and Deborah Gelfand and her husband Ilir Deliallisi of Apopka, FL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Monday, March 30, 2015 in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow in Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson St. Ext., Avon. Family and friends are welcome to return to Beth El Temple after the interment. Shiva will be observed at the Oberstein residence Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Autism Speaks, The Montessori School of Greater Hartford, or ConnecticutChildrensFoundation.org (cancer program). For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Yummie, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.