Althea (Weinstein) Shef

NORTHAMPTON - Althea (Weinstein) Shef (95) passed away peacefully this past week with family and friends at her side.

Born January 1, 1928, to Sonia and Irving Weinstein, Althea grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, with her brothers Hyman and Bernard. She graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Bachelor of Arts, and eventually received a Masters in Education from Worcester State College.

Althea was a born entrepreneur. After college, she moved to Boston to run Slenderella salons for a few years. She then returned to Worcester, where she met and married Harvey Brunell, and together they owned and operated multiple women’s clothing stores.

After 24 years of marriage, Harvey and Althea divorced and Althea moved to Washington, DC. There, she opened and operated multiple Diet Centers, which she expanded into the West Palm Beach, FL areas. While in Washington, she remarried to Arthur Shef, and they later retired to Newport, California.

Althea never lost the desire to work. In her retirement years, she was a Shared Housing Coordinator for Irvine, California, she taught senior exercise classes, and she sold part time in local women’s clothing shops.

She also loved to travel and did so extensively. She followed football and was a University of Michigan Wolverine fan (Go Blue). Althea was also an excellent bridge player and did the New York Times puzzles religiously. She loved all forms of arts and culture, especially classical music, Broadway, and art museums. She loved animals, specifically cats, and always had a feline companion throughout her life.

Althea is survived by her two daughters, Felicia Donahue and Shari Brunell, from her first husband, and her two stepsons, Ian Shef (wife Rhonda) and Stuart Shef (wife Deborah). She is also survived by four grandchildren, Sarah, Ian, Brian, Aiden, and 3 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews (Sandra, Melissa, Hinda, Stanley, Ann, and Audrey).

Althea is preceded in death by her parents, Sonia and Irving Weinstein, her brothers Hyman and Bernard, and her husband, Arthur Shef.

Family and friends will gather for a graveside service at Chevra Kadisha/Holy Society Cemetery, 78 Havana Rd., Leicester MA, on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to Dakin Humane Society ( https://www.dakinhumane.org/tribute-donation ) or to their favorite charity in Althea’s name.