Eleanor "Elie" Singer Finkelstein

Eleanor ‘Elie’ Singer Finkelstein, 89, of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026. She was the loving wife of the late Benjamin Finkelstein.

Mrs. Finkelstein was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 29, 1936; a daughter of the late Everett and Rose (Abramsky) Singer. She excelled in school, graduating from high school at age 16. She went on to Brooklyn College where she graduated in 1956 with a BA in Early Childhood Education. That same year, she married Benjamin Finkelstein and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. There, they welcomed their first daughter Mardi Beth. After a couple of years, they made their way back to New York to be closer to family and welcomed their second daughter, Amy. They eventually moved to Connecticut and had their son, Everett.

A long-time resident of Ridgefield, Mrs. Finkelstein spent most of her career in sales. However, her real passion was theatre and film, where she was deeply involved across New York and Connecticut. Some favorite roles included Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie and Mrs. Savage in The Curious Savage. She also loved to sing at any opportunity she was given and was inspired by the art and culture of Paris.

Mrs. Finkelstein loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her daughters, Mardi Beth Smith (David Smith) and Amy Finkelstein Joyce (Ed Joyce) and her son Everett Ross Finkelstein (Eleanor Koeppel), and her grandchildren Kyra Smith, Brandon Smith, Parker Finkelstein, Sarah Joyce, Hannah Finkelstein, Jacob Finkelstein, and Samantha Joyce. She is preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Finkelstein, and her sister Barbara Singer Zucker, both of whom she loved dearly.

A funeral service will take place on Friday, January 30th at 11:00 AM at Congregation Adath Israel – 115 Huntingtown Road; Newtown, CT. Interment will follow in Montefiore Cemetery – Queens, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Finkelstein’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association via their website https://www.alz.org/.

Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.