MARTINE GINSBURG

FORT WORTH -- Martine Heilbron Ginsburg died Friday evening, Nov. 16, 2012, during her 96th year. Memorial service: 4 p.m. Monday in the sanctuary of Beth-El Congregation, 4900 Briarhaven Road, with Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger officiating. She will be laid to rest privately next to her husband, Marcus, in the Beth-El Section of Greenwood Memorial Park. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Gill Children's Services, 555 Hemphill St., #200, Fort Worth, Texas 76104, in her memory, is respectfully suggested. Martine was born Aug. 10, 1916, in Texarkana, Texas. She died peacefully surrounded by her family at the home that she and her beloved husband, Marcus, built and lived in during their entire marriage, where they raised their two sons and where she shared her happiest times with family and friends. Her home was the center of her world. Martine was the daughter of Ray Heilbron, a member of a pioneer Texarkana family, and Lydia Goldstein Heilbron. During World War II, she joined the American Red Cross in order to be of service to her countrymen and rose in rank to become the Red Cross field director at Camp Lejeune, N.C. In 1948, she moved to Fort Worth to continue her career with the Red Cross. There, she met her husband, Marcus. Together they shared 47 years of devotion, purpose and great times. Their marriage set a wonderful example for their children and grandchildren. Martine was a full-time mother to their sons, Harold and Robert, yet always found time to serve her community with her focus on the health and well-being of children. She never missed the opportunity to advocate for the needs of children and to inspire others to do the same. This passion continued until her last breath. Martine took enormous pride in her four grandchildren and shared a unique and special relationship with each. She gave them her unconditional love. She instilled in each her passion for community service and social justice, her love of art and entertaining, the importance of family and of enjoying life. Martine served and supported many organizations in Fort Worth, including Tarrant County Day Care, The Parenting Center, the Lena Pope Home, Women's Haven (now SafeHaven of Tarrant County) and The Women's Center of Tarrant County. In 1979, Martine and her friend, Ginny Richards, planted the seeds that would become Gill Children's Services, an innovative agency serving as a safety net of last resort for children in Tarrant County. Next to her family, the work of Gill was her greatest source of pride. Her dedication to Gill was repaid tenfold by the love and dedication of a younger generation of friends that she came to know, love and mentor through her work there. Martine had strong opinions on diverse subjects. They ranged from the proper way to set a table to the important issues of the day. And she was never shy about sharing them. You always knew where you stood with Martine and just what she thought and what she expected. She was an innovator in the field of social services and ahead of her time in her taste in art, architecture and design. Hers was a wonderful, rich and happy life filled with love and blessed with the opportunity to help some people along the way. Martine was full of fun. Five o'clock in the evening was a special time in her home. She needed each day of her 96 years to complete her work. She departed on her own terms. Her family is very proud of her and the legacy she leaves. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marcus; and her sister, Emma Louise Rushing. Survivors: In addition to her sons and daughters-in-law, Harold Heilbron and Bunny Ginsburg of Dallas and Robert and Nancy Ginsburg of Fort Worth, Martine is survived by her grandchildren, Brooke Ginsburg and Natalie Ginsburg, both of Austin, and Perry Heilbron Ginsburg and Serena Polan Ginsburg, both of Fort Worth; niece, Betty Rushing of Hot Springs, Ark., nephew, Nolan Rushing, Jr. of Little Rock, Ark., and their families. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of MARTINE GINSBURG please visit our Sympathy Store.