Obituary of Raquel Vinick

Raquel Scher (Sahr) Vinick, age 89 of Capital Living Nursing Center passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2014. A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, she came to this country in 1957 to visit relatives and stayed with her cousin, Judith Family, prior to obtaining a scholarship to Tulane University to pursue a master's degree. Following several years of private Spanish tutoring, Raquel was hired by Union College, where she taught Spanish for twenty- five years as an Adjunct Professor. She retired in 1992. She was a graduate of the University of Languages, Argentina and continued her love of several different tongues throughout her life; Spanish, French, English and Italian. At Union, she taught hundreds of students and made many friends. She maintained a close relationship with the College and its Faculty. Raquel was a long - time member of "Las Amigas" , a social group of Hispanic women who continued their love for their native land, language, traditions and culture. She was a member of Hadassah, Congregation Gates of Heaven and its sisterhood, and took a leadership role in the social action committee of the synagogue there. In this capacity, she worked with the Temple Community Service Corps, which sent teen congregants to serve local agencies for the poor. With her husband, Ted, Raquel co -chaired the resettlement and acculturation of Russian- Jewish refugees. She said "we are all immigrants". She served as a tutor and mentor for inner- city children at Pleasant Valley Middle School. Raquel loved nature, beauty, flowers, music, art, theatre and quality movies. She was positive and helpful, always trying to improve the lives of others. Survivors include her husband, Ted Vinick, sons, Howard Vinick, Schenectady and Dr.Daniel Vinick and his wife, Maxine, of Suffern, NY, grand- daughters, Daniela and Alexandria, and grand-son, Zachary, all of Suffern. Also, many members of the Scher (Sahr in USA) family in Argentina. Services at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue Schenectady, NY on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 2:00pm Interment will be private for the immediate family.The period of mourning will be observed at the Vinick residence, 1492 Dorwaldt Blvd in Schenectady on Sunday and Monday evenings at 7:00pm In lieu of flowers, donations in Raquel's memory may be made to Congregation Gates of Heaven or Union College Annual Fund. Special thanks to the staff of Capital Care Living Center for making Raquel comfortable and always treating her with dignity and love.