Rita (Fromholz) May, resident of Medford, MA (formerly of Winthrop, MA) died on
October 1, 2012 at the age of 91. Rita May was the widow of Ralph May. Funeral
services will be held at Levine Chapel in Brookline on Wednesday, October
3rd at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Temple Israel Cemetery at 500 North
Avenue in Wakefield. Memorial observance will be at her former residence,
18 Pitcher Avenue, Medford, on Wednesday immediately following the
interment until 7:00 pm, and on Thursday, October 4th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
and 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Friday October 5th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, and Sunday,
October 7th from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Rita May was born November 1,
1920 in Berlin, Germany, the daughter of Otto and Greta Fromholz. Rita and
her parents fled Germany during the Nazi era and arrived in the United
States in 1938. Rita and her husband Ralph first settled in New York
before moving to Winthrop, MA in 1952. Together,Rita and her husband owned
and operated The Ralph May Organization, Inc.,a leather import/export
company with international clients and suppliers. After the death of
her husband in 1973, Rita continued to operate the business for many years
with the help of her daughter, Rhona, and Barry Thomas.
After retiring from the business, Rita pursued many active passions,
including swimming, reading, yoga, traveling, and visiting with friends.
She was also an active patron of the performing arts including music,
opera and theater. In 1993 she returned to Berlin for the first time in 55
years to be welcomed by the city as a Holocaust survivor. In 1995, Rita
organized and led the first ever Holocaust memorial observance in Winthrop
in partnership with the public school system. She was a long-time member
of Temple Israel in Boston where she was a very close personal friend of
many clergy, including Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn.
The education of children was a passion of Rita's marked by her work as an
intergenerational volunteer in the Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center
at Temple Israel in Boston. She volunteered for many years in the
school's Toddler Room, a passion that was commemorated in 2005 on the
occasion of her 85th birthday with the dedication of the room in her
honor. It was not unusual to find Rita dressed in her impeccable style
sprawled on the floor with the toddlers, or with one sitting in her lap.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rhona May-D'Onofrio and
Paul D'Onofrio, two granddaughters, Rebekah May Barkowitz and Danielle May
Thomas, a grandson-in-law, Daniel Barkowitz, and three great-
granddaughters, Rachel May Barkowitz, Caroline Read Barkowitz and Emma
Eloise Driscoll. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Rita May
Toddler Room at the Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center of Temple
Israel, Boston (477 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02215) or to the charity of
your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 8, 2012
Barbara Fleischer-Mahoney
Dear Rhona, Paul and all Rita's family,
So sorry to hear of Rita's passing. She was a dear friend to my mother, Rita Fleischer, and a friend to all our family, too.
October 8, 2012
Andrew Fleischer
Dear Rhona, Paul & to everyone who knew and loved Rita May, I offer my sympathies to you all.
Rita was a warm, charming and engaging woman whom I mostly knew thru her friendship with my mother -- a friendship she valued very much. You were all so sweet to her in her latter years and we will always be grateful for the smiles that Rita May brought to everyone.
Len's and my thoughts are with you.
Best always,
Andrew
October 7, 2012
Debbi Fendell
Dear May Family,
I have so many wonderful memories of Rita in the Toddler Room. It was certainly not unusual to see her standing on her head! She loved being with the children and they loved her right back. May her memory be for a blessing. With love, Debbi
October 6, 2012
Jim Matarazzo
To the D'Onofrios, Barowitzes and Thomases:
I am very sorry to hear this. Nani was an amazing person. I will carry her memory and influence with me.
Love,
Jimmy
October 4, 2012
Linda Bissett
Rhona,
I was sorry to hear of your mom's passing when I return to work on Tuesday. My prayers are with you and your family.
Take care Linda
October 4, 2012
Linda Bissett
Rhona,
I was sorry to hear of your mom's passing upon my return to work on Tuesday. My prayers are with you and your family.
October 4, 2012
Robert Cuddi
I was so saddened to receive the message from Rebecca of Rita's passing. I have such fond memories of her and the entire family.
Prayers always. Robert
October 3, 2012
Kristen Reynolds
Rhona, Rebekah & Danielle,
I was so sorry to hear of Noni's passing. She was a remarkable woman. I have wonderful memories of my time spent with her growing up and of all she taught us. May your memories be of comfort to you in your time of sorrow. Love to you all and to your families,
Kristen
October 3, 2012
Anne Emerson
To the Thomas Family,
I am terribly sorry for your loss. Wishing you healing and peace.
October 3, 2012
We feel so sad about your loss. We have such unforgettable memories especially from our stay in Boston 1964 - 66. Julia and Klaus Naegeli, Ebmatingen Switzerland
October 3, 2012
Dear Rhona, Rebecca, Daniel and Danielle,
I'm so sorry to hear of Rita's death. Rita was such a lively and engaging person and she certainly lived her life fully.
I remember her--all of you, actually--fondly and I hope the warmth of your memories will ease the sorrow of her loss.
October 2, 2012
Abbe Levin-Allexenberg
So sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories.
October 2, 2012
Ron Carver
Dear Rhona, My heart goes out to you and your family. I have so many warm memories of your Mom making us lunch, helping us out, treating us kids with lots of respect in a way that other adults didn't seem to know how to do. I remember your parents driving us around to all sorts of activities, always kind and patient. I miss them both. With much love to you as you adjust to being without your very special Mom,
October 2, 2012
Larry Segel
I always admired her. My sympathies to the family.
October 2, 2012
Anne McNeff
She was one classy lady...sorry for your loss.
October 2, 2012
Corinne & Mike Peltier
Rhona and family,
It is with heavy hearts that we learned of Rita May's passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
October 2, 2012
Roland Pearce
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
October 2, 2012
Dear Rhona,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I remember how hard it was saying good-bye to my mother, but knowing she was at last at peace.
Remember and cherish the good times and she'll always be there in your heart.
Love,
Joyce
October 1, 2012
October 1, 2012
October 1, 2012
October 1, 2012
Maria Scott-Osborne
My prayers continue to go up for you and all of your family. Nunnie will be missed. Love Maria Scott-Osborne and Family.
October 1, 2012
Ginny Ford
Dear Rhona, Please accept my deepst sympathy on the loss of your dear mother. May your loving memories of her bring you comfort at thsi difficult time. She was one of the first people I rememeber meeting at the Winthrop Playmakers when I first moved to Winthrop in the early 90's.With deepest sympathy to all your family.
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