DINA, MINNESOTA – Ethel-Raye Greenspan, 87, of Norfolk, Va., passed away from heart disease in Edina, Minn. on October 16, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Born in Norfolk on May 8, 1937, to parents David and Helen Nesson, Ethel-Raye attended Granby High School and spent two years at Ohio State. Her 1962 marriage to Dr. Mark Greenspan ended in divorce and she did not remarry.
Ethel-Raye was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and friend whose home was always open. She loved to entertain and met regularly with friends for Mah Jong and dominoes. She took her skills at making people feel welcome to the market by starting a chapter of the Single Gourmet franchise in Hampton Roads in the late ‘80s. As chronicled in The Virginian-Pilot, the Single Gourmet contributed to several marriages over its 20 years of operation. She worked into her 80s and finished her working career as a receptionist at Beth Sholom Village.
Ethel-Raye’s artistic expression spanned decades and disciplines. She was an adept painter, quilter, and needlepoint worker, but beads were her passion. Throughout her career she created numerous beaded artifacts, flowers and other arrangements; at one point her talents were showcased in The Virginian-Pilot, along with a picture of a beaded-flower orange tree. Ethel-Raye also loved plants and always enjoyed creating cuttings, repotting and decorating.
A lifelong resident of Norfolk, Ethel-Raye was a member of the Beth El Sisterhood, Beth El Congregation, and later Ohef Sholom Temple. She will be remembered as a beautiful debutante and prolific crafter, but more importantly as a dedicated mother/grandmother and well-connected, kind heart who never shied from friendliness, engaging in conversation with those around her.
Ethel-Raye is survived by her children Jeffrey (Cindy) Greenspan, Amy-Ann (Jeremy) Mayberg, and John-Jay Greenspan; grandchildren David (Laura) Greenspan, Jamie Greenspan, Bradley (Amanda) Santamour, Maxwell McCutcheon, Luz (Fernanda) Mayberg, and Rafael (Gemma) Forbush; great-grandchildren Avery, Logan, Kenton, Madalynn, Nolan, Mayim, and Gabriel; and siblings Eddie (JoAnn) Nesson and Nancy Ghertner.
Memorial services were held at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments and were followed by a reception at Beth El. Donations are requested to be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. Online condolences can be made to the family at hdoliver.com.