‘Momaline’ Steinman Etzkin Abrams dies in NY, is buried here

ALINE STEINMAN ETZKIN ABRAMS, who worked for some time in the retail clothing business, but was mostly noted as a major New Orleans matriarchal figure, died in Brooklyn, New York, on January 28, 2021. She was 95.

ALINE ETZKIN ABRAMS

Growing up in the early years of 20th century New Orlenas, she helped her father run the family dry goods store located in the French Quarter. Her memories she related back to her children included recalling how her father had started his business and financed his brick and mortar store by walking from the French Quarter and selling clothes along the way to the fishing camps scattered about the Bywater, Arabi and Chalmette neighborhoods. She regaled the family with her remembrances of the New Orleans of the past including that of “Smokey Mary,” the fabled train that ran from downtown to the Lakefront area of Milneburg, as well as a description of Pelican Stadium, the minor league Triple-A baseball park located near the intersection of Tulane and Carrollton Avenues.

After World War II broke out in 1941, she and many of her girlfriends and neighbors attempted to support those brave men in uniform, who were fighting for freedom. She became part of an organized group that provided social gatherings for Jewish soldiers and sailors training at nearby Fort Polk, LA.

One of these soldiers, on leave from his training was particularly taken with the young Aline and her ability to make sandwiches. The soldier from Wausau, WI., turned out to be the man who would become her first husband, Max. 

She was a longtime and dedicated member of the Greater New Orleans Chapter of Hadassah and very well connected to Congregation Beth Israel, where the Etzkin family was the largest family unit. She was also famously recalled for her involvement in Young Judea and her cinnamon butter toast offered at Camp Kittywake. 

“Momaline,” as she was known by her children,  worked for several years at both Miller Wohl’s Department Store and Godchaux’s Department Store, both on Canal Street.  She was most noted as having worked in the Misses Department at Godchaux’s and always seemed to know the latest in style and fashion.

She lived in New Orleans until August of 2005, when Hurricane Katrina swept through the area and she was forced to relocated to the Houston area in Sugarland, Texas. When her health began to fail, she relocated once again to Brooklyn, NY., where she was placed in the care of her daughter Sandra Brum and her son-in-law Dr. Charles Brum.

Born the youngest child in her family of Russian Jewish immigrants, she was, sadly, the last surviving member as well.

Predeceased by her first husband, Max Etzkin, in 1976 and also by her second husband, William “Bill” Abrams, in 1997, she is survived by her children Yael Etzkin (Rabbi Karen Trager) of Vernon, CT., Sylvia Levitt (Jerry) of Phoenix, AZ., Lynn Rubenstein (Rabbi Steven) of Rochester, NY., Sandra Brum (Dr. Charles) of Brooklyn, NY., Aaron Etzkin (Gaydene) of Hammond, LA., Ian Etakin (Patty) of Sugarland, TX, Jeffrey Etzkin (Kathleen ) of Dripping Springs, TX and Michael Etzin of Richmond, TX., 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services at Ahavas Sholom Cemetery were conducted by Rabbi Yossie Nemes on Friday, January 29.