Ernestine "Ernie" Marie Greenberg

In 1951, she met Bill Greenberg on the basketball court. Court was the operative word, and these teenagers began their love affair by eloping in November of that year. Their life adventures began when Bill graduated from the University of Connecticut as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. For over twenty years they traveled the world together, and Ernie “held down the fort” during Bill’s overseas tours. With their many moves, as a dedicated Army wife, Ernie was able to settle the family into every new house and overnight make it a home. She was the matriarch who held the family together.

When they landed in San Antonio and Bill retired, Ernie turned her passion for antiques into a business. For thirty-five years, together she and Bill had an antique shop in Gruene, Texas. They took many trips in search of interesting inventory. Some of their treasures make their way into museums and others were used in movie and television shows. Ernie developed quite an expertise; she could make any old thing shine, any clock tick, and any plant grow.

Ernie was at her best as a devoted mother and best friend to their three children, Cheryl Burns (Johnny), David Greenberg, and Karen Seidel. She was blessed with six grandchildren, Adam Burns, Emily Burns McLeod, Rachel Greenberg, Zachary Greenberg, Madison Seidel, and Samantha Seidel, as well as great-grandchildren Oriah McLeod and Whitman McLeod.

Ernie will lovingly be remembered as “everyone’s sweetheart.” She was a nurturer, always the first the recognize someone’s needs and respond with a shoulder to cry on, a home-cooked meal, a ride to an appointment. Her kindness extended to family, neighbors, friends, friends of friends, and even strangers. She was a rescuer of animals, especially dogs, and laughingly joined the ranks of bird watcher in her later years. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

A private family burial will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or The Wounded Warriors Project.