Rhoda Rifkin Spiegelman
Rhoda Rifkin Spiegelman, Stamford, CT, passed away Friday, March 29th, 2024, of heart failure, at the age of 93. Rhoda is survived by her daughters, Donna Spiegelman and Ellen Turcotte, her son-in-law, Robert Turcotte, her daughter-in-law, Elaine Schear, her grandchildren, Nessarose and Ariela Schear, her step-grandchildren, Catya Donahower and Devin Turcotte, and many dear friends.
Born on July 1st, 1930, to Jewish immigrant parents, Rose and Victor Rifkin in Brooklyn, New York, Rhoda liked to tell people she grew up like “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn”. Rhoda and her sister, Doris Tanlkow, were the first in their family to go to college. Both graduated from Brooklyn College and became teachers.
She later got two master’s degrees in education, one from University of Bridgeport in and another from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield. She spent the rest of her over 40-year career as a specialist, helping children learn how to read until her retirement at age 75.
Rhoda’s love of books and learning went far beyond her profession - she will be remembered for her insatiable curiosity and care; from the global events and trends shaping our world to the smaller ripples in the lives of her family and friends, Rhoda always knew what was going on around her. And even as she lost her vision, she remained a consummate reader, perhaps one of the most active clients of Library for the Blind.
Rhoda was the life of the party, so to celebrate her life, go out to the Opera or a good show, then to your favorite restaurant. Bring your family, your friends. Order soup, preferably matzo ball, and send it back to the kitchen if it’s only warm, because life is short, and you deserve your soup piping hot.
Rhoda was laid to rest at Wooster Cemetery in Danbury, CT, on Sunday, March 31st, in a small ceremony with her family and a few friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Rifkin Family Scholarship fund, for first-generation college students. Information can be found at http:// focrls.org/rifkin-scholarship/. Donations may also be made by check — please make them out to Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FOCRLS) and put “Rifkin Scholarship” in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to: FOCRLS, P.O. Box 39-1541, Cambridge, MA 02139.