Jeanne Zorensky, who owned a popular Clayton antiques store in the 1970s, and who was a lifetime supporter and active member of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI) Congregation, died Monday, June 11, 2012 at her home in Clayton.  She was 83 years and had been battling cancer, according to family members.  She was the widow of Milton Zorensky, a shopping center developer, who died in 2005.

Mrs. Zorensky was born in St. Louis on Sept. 6, 1928, the daughter of Ben and Bea Sterneck.  She grew up in Salem, Ill. along with her brother, Morris Sterneck and sister Marcia Sterneck.  She  was a cheerleader at Salem Junior High School.  She decided she would graduate from Salem High School in three years, took extra credit courses and graduated as an honor student. After graduation she attended the University of Wisconsin.

To say that Jeanne Zorensky had a lifetime love affair with BSKI Congregation would not be an exaggeration.  When she was 18, she attended Rosh Hashanah services at the Brith Sholom synagogue (before it merged with Kneseth Israel) when it was located on Delmar Boulevard.  Rabbi Mordecai Miller of BSKI said in his eulogy that, “Milton was introduced to her — and knew right away that she was ‘the one.’” He asked her on a date and she said she was busy, but she went home and told her parents about the encounter, Rabbi Miller said. “Her father said, ‘I know his family and they’re a wonderful family.  If he asks you out again, you’ll go.’”

Milton did call and they went out. After five weeks, they were engaged. 

Jeanne and Milton Zorensky were married March 2, 1947.  They had five children:  Tina, Deborah, Mark, Elliot and the late L. Allen Zorensky, who died in an automobile accident.  “Jeanne was devastated at the loss of Allen,” said Rabbi Miller.  It broke her heart, and she was never the same again.”

Mrs. Zorensky, early in her marriage developed a lifelong interest in antique ceramics and pottery, and with her husband Milton created a major collection.  She was especially interested in 18th century English porcelain, and the couple published an authoritative book on Worcester Porcelain.

Rabbi Miller noted that Milton Zorensky at first “humored” his wife, but they later became “hooked on Wedgewood.”

He added that the Zorenskys donated much of their Wedgewood collection to the St. Louis Art Museum.  From 1970 to 1979, Mrs. Zorensky ran a popular antique store, Antiques & Uniques, that sold antique porcelain on Maryland Avenue in Clayton.  She also sold antique and estate jewelry. Three or four times a year they would go to England to make their purchases.

At Mrs. Zorensky’s funeral last Tuesday at BSKI, in addition to Rabbi Miller, BSKI Rabbi Emeritus Benson Skoff expressed appreciation for Mrs. Zorensky’s strong loyalty to BSKI, supporting its rabbis, building campaigns and its entire schedule of religious, cultural and social activities.

Both rabbis stressed the closeness of Mrs. Zorensky’s family. Similar sentiments were expressed by her daughter, Deborah Zorensky, and grandson, Heath Corson.

Mrs. Zorensky was also active with the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and she and her husband hosted major events in support of the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign.  Many of her family members have also been active in the Jewish Federation and its annual campaign and on the boards of various Jewish agencies.

Survivors include daughters Tina Corson (Bruce) of Chicago and Deborah Zorensky of St. Louis; sons Mark Zorensky (Karen) of St. Louis and Elliot Zorensky (Jodi). Also  surviving are her brother, Morris Sterneck (Rosalie) of St. Louis and sister, Marcia Sterneck.

Burial was private.

Memorial contributions are preferred to the L. Allen Zorensky Fund, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63146, or a charity of the donor’s choice.