Esther Leib, formerly of W. Hempstead, dies at 94

Esther Sherman Leib, a longtime resident of West Hempstead who enjoyed summers on the North Fork, died Wednesday at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset after suffering a stroke. She was 94.

Born in Brooklyn, Leib settled in West Hempstead, where she raised her two children with her husband, Venty Leib, who predeceased her in 1990.

The couple had been married for 50 years.

Leib worked for a number of years as a secretary in the dean's office at Nassau Community College.

She also handled the books for a large camp for children, Camp Algonquin in upstate New York, which she, her husband and others owned.

She retired to Lake Worth, Fla., in 1972, dividing her time between Long Island and Florida, but moved to The Bristal in North Hills four years ago.

"She held on to longtime friendships and was kind and motherly to many people," said her daughter, Harriet Greenberg, of Carle Place.

One of her favorite places was Peconic, on the North Fork, where she would spend summers with her family, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She loved to read and do crossword puzzles, her daughter said.

She also loved politics and was an avid fan of TV's "Law & Order."

In addition to Greenberg and her husband, Michael Greenberg, Leib is survived by her son, Michael Leib, and daughter-in-law, Laura Nelson of Blacksburg, Va., four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Gutterman's Funeral Home, 8000 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations to any organization helping those - people or wildlife - affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico made in Leib's memory would be appreciated, her family said.