Rhoda S. Bernstein

It’s with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and sister Rhoda “Rickie” Bernstein. We are grateful to have been blessed with her presence for 92 wonderful years that were full of life.

Rhoda was born May 30, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York to Max and Freida Simon. Rhoda graduated from Tilden High School in 1948. She left to attend the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida where she played softball and clarinet in the orchestra.

While attending Camp Gewonia in New York’s Catskill mountains she met Dave Bernstein, her brother Allen’s camp counselor. After a two-year romance Dave and Rhoda were married in 1952. In 1959 Dave and “Rickie” moved to Spring Valley, New York where they would raise their three boys.

Rhoda went back to school in 1963 where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehman College and a master's degree in physical education from Montclair State College. Rhoda was employed as a Physical Education teacher in the East Ramapo Central School District until her retirement in 1990. During her tenure in East Ramapo Rhoda worked at Kakiat Junior High School, Ramapo High School, Fleetwood Elementary School, Hillcrest Elementary School and Summit Park Elementary School. At Ramapo High School Rhoda coached the swim team and the softball team.

In 1990 Dave and Rhoda began their retirement in Century Village in West Palm Beach, Florida. After a 38-year hiatus Rhoda picked up her clarinet and joined the Century Village Orchestra and the Palm Beach County Band. She also enjoyed line dancing, water aerobics, and creating many pieces of ceramic artwork for family, friends and neighbors.

Rhoda was predeceased by her husband David Bernstein, and daughter-in-law, Diane Bernstein. Rhoda is survived by her son Roy Bernstein, his wife Nora Bernstein, Mark Bernstein, his partner Lynne Perman Schneider, and Richard Bernstein. Rhoda is also survived by her grandchildren Deborah Gayle Koenig, her husband Matt, Aaron Mitchell Bernstein, Jennifer Radcliffe, her husband Wesley, Laura Adler, her husband Jonathan, and Daniel Bernstein, and by her great grandchildren Zak Koenig, Lillian Koenig, and Nathaniel Radcliffe, and by her brother Allen Simon and his wife Gloria.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 10, 2023 at 1:30 PM at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977. Interment will follow at Jewish Community Center Cemetery, Brick Church Road & Route 306, New Hempstead, NY 10977.

To view the Funeral Webcasting please click link below:

https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/85765

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 (845)356-8600 Jewish Funeral Directors.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hellmanmemorial.com for the Bernstein family.