Obituary of Taube Rothenberg

Taube Nathanson Rothenberg, of Delmar passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23 in the comfort of her home. Taube was born in Brooklyn, the youngest child of Ida and Samuel Nathanson, both Russian émigrés. Her siblings — Moe, Harry "Zimmie", Jenny, and Anna — have all passed on. Taube was raised in Far Rockaway by her mother and adored grandfather Simon Lyon. A talented young dancer, Taube was awarded a dance scholarship to Adelphi University but was forced to decline due to finances. Later, she became an x-ray technician and met her future husband, Dr. Paul A. Rothenberg, at the hospital where they both worked on Long Island. They married during World War II on New Year’s Eve and were devoted to each other until Paul's death in 1997. Art and music were integral to Taube's colorful and dynamic personality. She started oil painting in Chillicothe, Ohio where she and Paul lived during his tenure as a psychiatrist at the VA Hospital. She won four ribbons while there, and along with four other artists, she helped form the Chillicothe Art League. After moving to Delmar, she studied at the Albany Institute of History and Art with artists Rudy Helmo, Ed Cowley, Dunning Powell, and Franklin Alexander, and with Leonard Weber in a local art group.. Several years ago, Taube was awarded first prize for a landscape in oils by the Bethlehem Art Association. She also studied Chinese brush painting and had recently taken up watercolor. Her home is adorned with her artwork, braided rugs, weaving, and ceramics. Taube was also a talented international folk dancer, and many people still recall her performances with her dance partner Desider Simonvic, including one that was telecast live on WMHT, and at the Empire Plaza. They made their own costumes for all their performances. She was passionate about piano and had a special feeling for Chopin. During the 1990s she studied cello with Nancy Winn of the Albany Symphony Orchestra. During the 1970s she created the Lively Leisure Program for senior adults at the Albany Jewish Community Center where she taught handcrafts and was loved by her students. Taube and Paul raised her two children Lynn and Mark in Delmar in a home buzzing with activity and where friends were always welcome. Lynn's childhood friends would spend hours at the kitchen table with Taube talking and laughing. She was a wonderful conversationalist and her outspoken personality and sense of humor made her great company and not easily forgotten. She is mourned by her devoted daughter Lynn (Finley), her son-in-law Michael Roland, her only grandson David Finley who had an especially close relationship with his grandmother, niece Elyse, and nephews Larry and Harold. Her beloved son, Mark, died in 1981. The family thanks: Kenita Hightower, Chrissy Hayward, Michelle Jehider, Keya Swain, Antonietta Raric, and Malina Mannarino for their compassion, skill, loving care, and warm friendship. Thanks also to Dr. Carmen Giuliano for his care over the years; Ann from the Visiting Nurses Association; Dr. Kevin Costello for his attentive home visits; Dr. Patrick Caulfield, friend and physician whose kindness towards Taube was always a phone call away; Linda RN at Albany Memorial Hospital, and the Delmar Rescue Squad. Private service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM. There will be a traditional Period of Mourning - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:30 - 9:00 PM at Taube's home in Delmar; Sunday 2:00 - 9:00 PM, and Monday 6:30 - 9:00 PM at Lynn and Michael's house in Nassau. No flowers, please. If you wish to contribute in her memory, Taube supported PETA, 501 Front St. Norfolk, VA 23510 (peta.org); the Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society 3 Oakland Avenue Menands, NY 12204; and the Food Pantries of the Capital District, 32 Essex St., Albany, NY 12206.