Obituary of Rita S. Goldstein

Rita Goldstein, 81, of Albany, passed away on Sunday, August 31th, 2014, surrounded by her loving family at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center. Rita was born on May 28th, 1933, the daughter of the late Harry and Bessie Stracher. She graduated from Albany High School in 1951 and worked as a bookkeeper for many years. At the time of her passing, she was the owner of East Greenbush Travel, a family business for over 30 years. She worked closely with her daughter-in-law Tina and Amy Gerling, both of whom she loved like daughters. Rita married the love of her life, the late Herbert L. Goldstein (Herbie), on June 7th, 1953. They lived a very happy life together, raising a family and traveling until the untimely death of her beloved Herbie in 1990. Rita was an avid reader and enjoyed many activities. She loved the arts and attending the symphony, opera, ballet and plays on a regular basis. Rita played bridge and mahjong with her many friends, and enjoyed going out to dinner with them as well. Rita was very active as a volunteer at Capital Rep. and the soup kitchen. Rita's true love was her family. She was blessed with four children, fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Being a grandmother brought her great joy and she reveled in the love of all fifteen grandchildren. Every birthday, graduation, good report card, show or ballgame was attended with great pride and joy. The last four years of her life were shared with her granddaughter Emily, who lived with her and took care of her so beautifully. They were very close. A special thank you to all the wonderful people at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center. The nurses and aides of the Red Unit all showed Rita so much love and compassion. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Bessie Stracher, her husband Herbert L. Goldstein, her son Jonathan and her brother Irving Stracher. Rita is survived by three children: Hal (Tina) Goldstein, Zev (Rivka) Goldstein, and Lynne (Michael) Schaefer. She is survived by her fifteen grandchildren: Mike and Herbie Goldstein, Hershel (Chaya) Goldstein, Bassy (Chaim) Rosenstein, Eli, Emily, Jane (Bill) Graffius, Chaim, Miriam, Bracha, Chany and Mendel Goldstein, Lauren, Jennie and Jonathan Schaefer. She is also survived by two great grandchildren: Chana and Shlomo Baruch Goldstein. Services at Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue, Albany at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 1st. Interment will follow at Hebrew Tailors Cemetery on Western Avenue in Guilderland. The period of mourning will be observed at the Schaefer residence at 2 White Oak Lane, Albany 12208. Those wishing to remember Rita in a special way may make a memorial contribution to Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center, 180 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany, NY 12203. .