GRETA MEINSTEIN SEELIG, 85

2008-08-08 / Obituaries

Greta Meinstein Seelig (GeeMom), 85, a mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother of exceptional strength and character died on July 30, at her residence, after battling cancer for a number of years. She was born in Zindorf, Germany, a part of Bavaria. She excelled in athletics as a child and became a champion hurdler who was prevented by Hitler from entering the 1936 Olympics because she was Jewish.

Her family left Germany and she moved to New York State where she met the love of her life, Eric Seelig. Eric was the German Middleweight and Light- Heavyweight boxing champion of Europe in the 1930s and because he was a Jew, had to relinquish his title and was told to leave Germany. Eric and Greta were married in 1940, and they moved from upstate New York to McKee City where they had a large chicken farm. They made their living selling their eggs to local hotels and grocery stores.

Her greatest accomplishment in life was her son, Mac R. Seelig. Greta was an excellent baker, cook, seamstress and lover of haute cuisine. Greta and Eric opened up a boxing gym. Both Greta and Eric were extraordinary athletes. They both were teachers of the art of boxing and they both trained many local professionals. She will always be known for her strength, fortitude, ability of being direct and her right hook boxing punch. Greta loved music and all things German.

She leaves behind her loving son, Mac, and his wonderful wife, Kay Seelig; her three grandsons, Jerry (Karen) Seelig, Jeff (Mimi) Seelig, and Jason (Letitia) Seelig; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Lore Heppenheimer of Hollywood, Fla.; her brother, Stephen (June) Meinstein of Jacksonville, Fla. and Fleischmanns, N.Y., and her two nieces.

She will live on in the memory of those who loved her for strength of character and directness. Graveside services were held Friday, Aug. 1, at Beth Israel Cemetery, Fire Road and Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Twp. Shiva was observed at the home of Mac and Kay Seelig, in Galloway. Contributions may be made to the RNS Cancer and Heart Fund, 7223 Ventnor Ave., Ventnor, NJ 08406. Arrangements were by Roth-Goldsteins' Memorial Chapel, Atlantic City.

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