Kaufman, Rhoda
West Hartford - Rhoda Kaufman, 91, formerly of Norwich and Boynton Beach passed away on June 17, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband Allen. Rhoda was born in Hartford on March 29, 1931 to Ruben and Anna Berman.
She will be missed by her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan Samuels and her husband Jesse, Debra Daren and her husband Steven, and Elyse Kirschblum, as well as her grandchildren, Andrew Daren and his wife Rachel, Anna Daren and her husband Jonathan, Leslie Kirschblum, and Lauren Kirschblum, and her new great-grandson, Max Daren. Rhoda grew up in Hartford and graduated from Weaver High School, then attended Smith College and Connecticut College.
After marrying Allen, they settled in Norwich, where they raised three daughters. Rhoda was active in Beth Jacob Synagogue and Sisterhood, as well as Hadassah. Although she did some substitute teaching and then earned her real estate license, Rhoda's real passions were being with family, entertaining, playing bridge, canasta, and scrabble.
Rhoda and Allen became full time Floridians in 2010 and had a very active social life there, enjoying theatre, lectures, music, and dining out with their wide circle of friends. They always looked forward to visits from their children and grandchildren, pleading with them not to go back home too soon.
After Allen's passing in 2016, Rhoda remained in Florida until March 2020, when she moved up to West Hartford permanently to be near her children.
Her family always described Rhoda as a "force to be reckoned with." She was the matriarch and ultimate historian, able to recall details about several generations of extended family.
Funeral services will be held graveside on Sunday, June 19 at 11:00 AM at the Norwich Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery #3 in Preston. Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome. com to leave the family an online condolence.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.
Please sign guestbook at courant.com/obituaries