Obituary - Marjorie H Hellerstein (1924-2005)

(This information was submitted to the Boston Globe, Newton Tab, and Jewish Advocate)

Marjorie H. Hellerstein PhD taught at Massachusetts College of Art for 27 years, also serving as Chairperson of the Critical Studies (liberal arts) Department, and as the Writing Coordinator. Dr. Hellerstein taught world literature, film history and criticism, the relationship between literature and art, the modern European novel, satiric literature, and writing courses. Dr. Hellerstein wrote poetry, fiction and criticism, including two books ("Inventing the Real World: The Art of Alain Robbe-Grillet" and "Virginia Woolf's Experiments with Consciousness, Time and Social Values").

Personal Chronology:

• •Born on Dec 9 1924 in Cleveland Ohio. Father Morris Schecter, mother Betty Schecter, both early 20^th century immigrants from Russia.
• •Attended Glenville High School in Cleveland
• •Received BA and MA from the University of Chicago, 1948. She remained active in University of Chicago Alumni events, including the University of Chicago Book Club.
• •Married Earl Hellerstein in 1949. Raised 5 children (Deborah, Marc, Daniel, Eli Seth, Nathaniel).
• •Spent 1954-1955 in Japan.
• •Joined faculty of Massachusetts College of Art in 1967. Served as Chairperson of Critical Studies Department.
• •Was curator of an exhibit on "Concentration Camp Art at Terezin, Czechosolovia" (Mass. College of Art)
• •Completed PhD at New York University, 1979. This involved commuting to New York City while teaching full-time, and included two summers abroad (in Kyoto, Japan and Paris, France).
• •Active in liberal causes including civil rights and world peace
• •Survived by husband Earl E Hellerstein MD of Newton, sister Naomi Faigin of Cleveland Ohio; 5 children and 5 grandchildren (Leah and Erica Hellerstein of Kensingon CA, Sam and Andrew Hellerstein of Wheaton MD, Hannah Hellerstein of San Francisco, CA). Deceased brother Sheldon Schecter of Cleveland OH.
• •Personal interests include modern popular and unpopular culture such as jazz, avant-garde music, movies, experimental works, art, wildflowers, and birds.