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ANITA RUBIN SIEGEL KING - BURLINGTON - Anita Rubin Siegel King died on Feb. 13, 2013, in the Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center, following declining health. She was born on Feb. 8, 1916, in New York City, and was raised there and in Woodmere, Long Island. Anita was predeceased by her parents, Maxwell and Celia (Cohen) Rubin, and her younger sisters, Joan Herzberg and Fay Cooper. She graduated from Smith College in 1937 and obtained a certificate in social work from Columbia University. In 1939, Anita married Victor Siegel, leading to her two children, Andrew Siegel and Claire Oppenheim. After 12 years their marriage ended in divorce, and she then became an advertising research account executive in New York City. Some years later, she was married to Rufus King resulting in her moving to Washington, D.C. There she began working for National Institute of Mental Health, in the Children's Service Division. Commuting to Philadelphia, she trained with Salvador Minuchin, and began her own clinical therapy practice. She moved to Williamsburg, Mass., in 1987, and continued psychotherapy private practice, until retiring in her early 90's. Throughout her life political activism was important to Anita. She turned to her concern with worldwide population growth. Through the Western Massachusetts Sierra Club, she developed a Population Committee, working with students from the five colleges in the Pioneer Valley, training them to be activists, and bringing internationally recognized speakers to Smith College on subjects related to population. In addition to enjoying travel, she was a lifelong lover of classical music. Also, she loved entertaining and bringing friends together for energetic conversation. She was a role model for younger women. In 2011, she moved to the Converse Home in Burlington, to be near family. She is survived by her son, Andrew Siegel and wife, Ene Piirak; daughter, Claire Oppenheim and husband, David Oppenheim; grandson, Eric Siegel and wife, Maria de Fatima Callou; and granddaughter, Rachel Siegel and husband, Jules Fishelman, and their two children, Gertie and Ira; stepgrandchildren, Aili and Marika Dalton and their spouses, Jason Gorzyck and Greg Maino, respectively; stepgreat-grandchildren, Liivo and Asta Gorzyck; her devoted former daughter-in-law, Lisa Schamberg and husband, Pat Robins; brother-in-law, Mel Herzberg and his children, Peter, Andrew and Kenneth; and nephew, Jon Cooper. The family would like to thank the staff at the Converse Home, Fletcher Allen Health Care and Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center for their care and attention to Anita. There will be a graveside interment and memorial gathering at Temple Israel Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2013. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Sierra Club, Population Connection (formerly ZPG); and/or Population Media Center, P.O. Box 547, Shelburne, VT 05482.
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5 Entries
Driving out to Anita's apartment from UMass for Sierra Club meetings, her signature salads with red grapes, the spread of teas on offer, hours spent stuffing envelopes, or writing letters to the editor; the people she brought together and the energy, fierceness and dedication of her mind--Anita defined a great deal of my college experience. I won't ever forget her, and as time passes, the value of her legacy and her example only seem to rise. My condolences to her family, and to everyone lucky enough to have been brought into her circle, even for a little time.
Sarah Courchesne
March 1, 2013
Whenever I see purple pansies I will think of you, Anita. Thank you for sharing your time with me, thank you for being a strong, inspiration amazing woman. Thank you for taking me to be first classical concert and sharing your love of music with me.
Heather van Werkhooven
February 20, 2013
Sincere condolences.
Anita was a wonderful friend -- in Washington, where I met her at the National Institute of Mental Health --and after she made her home in Williamsburg. We kept in touch by calling and visiting each other. So many happy memories...
Editha Nottelmann
February 15, 2013
Sincere condolences to all of Anita's family -- we had a wonderful friendship with her for many years and have such happy memories of the interesting lunch parties she hosted in her apartment in Williamsburg. The people she gathered together were always fascinating, and she had the ability to generate such energetic conversations on important political issues. We have missed her since she moved to Burlington.
Katharine Baker and Peter Titelman
Katharine and Peter Baker Titelman
February 15, 2013
Andy, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. She was an icon in Williamsburg...everyone knew her and loved her dearly.
Sue and Chris Childs
February 15, 2013
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