Corinne P. Greenberg December 26, 1928 - March 17, 2024
Miami, Florida - Corinne Phyllis Greenberg died in Miami, FL on March 17, 2024 from natural causes. She was 95 years old. Passionate about the power of the arts, medicine, and education to enrich the lives of so many, she was a dedicated philanthropist and volunteer who felt a profound obligation to improve the world around her. But perhaps most importantly, Corinne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love and empathy defined the larger Greenberg family for decades. Known to her family and friends as “Corky”, Corinne believed deeply in the importance of philanthropy as a way to enhance the lives of the underprivileged. As long-time directors of The Starr Foundation, she and her husband Maurice R. Greenberg sought to support countless medical, social, and cultural institutions around the world, but particularly in New York City where she and her husband proudly resided. The breadth and depth of her philanthropic activities were a sign of her true focus on having a tangible impact above anything else. In fact, to those who knew her closely, she was regularly self-effacing, eschewing the publicity that such charitable efforts often draw. However, there were some causes and organizations that were especially close to her heart. Corinne was Chair of the National Board of Young Audiences/ Arts-for-Learning, having started serving on their board in 1984. As a strong proponent of public education, she cherished this work because she believed in the transformative power that the performing arts can have on children from all walks of life - she wanted students to have as much exposure as possible to the arts because of the joy it brings and the impact it can have on the ability to learn and grow. Her contributions to culture in New York City also included her service on the boards of the 92nd Street Y and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Drawing on her background in and knowledge of science, Corinne recognized the paramount importance of medicine as a way of serving her city and those who sought treatment there. She was a member of several volunteer committees at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center, including as a charter member of the Executive Committee of the Lying-In-Hospital in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and as a member of the New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center Council. She also served on the Executive Committee of the Iris Cantor Women’s Health Center and was a founding member of the Women & Science Committee at the Rockefeller University. Corinne Greenberg, nee Zuckerman, was born in New York City on December 26, 1928, and raised in the Bronx with her brother Donald Zuckerman. Corinne possessed a special blend of vivaciousness, talent, and kindness. Her love of music was lifelong, playing both the piano and flute as a child; she graduated from the High School of Music and Art with a major in voice and later studied piano at the Manhattan School of Music. Her zest for life was also evident in her love of the outdoors. She was an avid skier and tennis player throughout her life - both family and friends fondly remember spending hours with her on the slopes and court. Corinne was ahead of her time in several ways, particularly in her professional pursuits. She was an outstanding student and perpetually curious, embracing computers before many others did. Having graduated with a B.B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Miami, Corinne studied systems design and computer programming at IBM, and she worked as a programmer and systems designer at Fiduciary Trust Company and The New York Hospital. She met her husband Maurice when they were students at the University of Miami, and they married in 1950. They spent many years together in New York City, in Brewster, NY, at their home in Florida, and traveling the world. Even amid her many pursuits, her family was always her top priority. Corinne had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel special; she made sure to commemorate every family milestone - birthdays, school performances, sporting events, graduations, and more. Corinne is survived by her husband Maurice; her brother Donald; her children Jeffrey, Evan, Scott, and Cathleen; her grandchildren Caroline, Elizabeth, Matthew, Jacob, Ben, Annabel, Noah, Julia, Alleta, and Ana; and six great-grandchildren. Corinne’s family wishes to share the following thoughts regarding her passing: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our mother. She was a remarkable woman who leaves a proud legacy for all of us - one of charity, family, and a passionate commitment to improving the world around her. We miss her dearly but are heartened by the fact that we shared so many wonderful moments together over the years.” A private funeral service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable donations be made to Young Audiences/ Arts-for-Learning.