Ida Lee Epstein

Ida Lee Epstein was born to Harry and Betty Steinman (Weisman) in Scranton, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1932, and moved to Detroit in 1937, but after living 71 years in Flint she considered herself a Flint native. Ida never ate at a Flint restaurant without interruption from someone she knew who wanted to chat. She enjoyed the conversation as much as the meal. Ida was graduated from Detroit Central High School in 1950. She married Aaron Epstein in 1953 and they moved to Flint. Ida worked for Flint Public Schools as a teacher’s aide and library assistant at Summerfield and Eisenhower elementary schools. She later worked more than 25 years at the Flint Area Chamber of Commerce as executive secretary to the vice president. It was in that capacity that Ida’s love for Flint shined brightest. She was most proud of her role in helping to organize the annual Flint Trade Fair and the Day on the Job program for area students. Although work was a passion of Ida’s, it was family and friends that made her world turn. Ida is survived by her children Alan, Nancy, and Michael (Ann Marie) and her grandchildren Danielle (Jason Jochems), Allison, and Adam (Taylor). Anyone who knew Ida knows about each. It was the special care of Nancy that allowed Ida to live to her fullest in her later years. Ida’s great-grandson, Lucas, is due later this month. Although Ida never held him, she already loved him. Ida could not start her day without talking to her sister Sharyn (Alan Cornfield) and her Aunt Shirley Herman. She was proud of all her nieces and nephews. Ida’s countless friends know who they are and every one was special to her. We are all comforted in thinking that there is a reunion in heaven with Ida and her parents as well as the Westgate neighborhood mothers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ida’s memory can be made to Temple Beth El Flint or Whaley Children’s Center in Flint. Funeral services are set for Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Temple Beth El, 5150 Calkins Rd, Flint Twp, MI 48532 with Rabbi Jeffrey Ableser officiating. A private graveside service will follow the funeral. Shiva will be Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Temple Beth El Flint. Arrangements entrusted to Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek, MI 48473. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com