Rita S Fireman

She was born Rita Seidman on July 11, 1925 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the first child of Nathan and Gussie Seidman. She had a happy childhood. Her parents were kind and loving, she loved school and she always had a best friend. She graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1943 and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1947.

She met the love of her life, Edward Fireman, on a blind date in June, 1947. Three weeks later they decided to get married. She considered it the best decision of her life. He made her feel comfortable. He made her laugh and gave her confidence. He opened up a whole new world to her beyond Pittsburgh. She traveled with him to scientific meetings throughout Europe, the Soviet Union, China and Japan.

Rita was a natural mother, creating an unusual balance of comforting routines and lots of freedom. She was genuinely interested in others, whether talking with a child, a younger adult, or a contemporary, Rita made others feel valued and important.

She worked as a Medical Records Librarian at Newton Wellesley hospital for 27 years. Rita was a lifelong learner, who actively participated in courses online and in-person at Harvard and Boston University until age 90.

In her mid-forties she began writing poetry seriously. She enjoyed discussion with other poets, gave poetry readings, participated in poetry slams and published a book of poetry.

Her beloved husband died suddenly when she was 64. She never considered re-marrying. After residing in Newton, MA for 54 years, she moved to Newbridge-on-the-Charles in Dedham where she developed many friendships. Despite profound loss of hearing and vision in her later years she was still known as a wonderful communicator.

She was easy to love. Now she is hard to lose.

She is survived by her son Bruce (Daria), daughter Ellen (Michael Weissman), son Gary (Sheila), grandchildren Daniel Weissman (Michal Arbilly) and Jonathan Weissman, Joseph Fireman and Emily Fireman (Kyle Brown), Elizabeth and Rachel Fireman, and great-grandchildren Talia and Yoav Weissman and Edward Fireman Brown. She was predeceased by her sister, Tema David.

The funeral service will be at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, November 5th at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 1668 Beacon St. Brookline MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Harvard College Observatory Edward L. Fireman Fellowship Fund 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

[email protected]