We celebrate the life of Renée Rappaport who lived to the age of 98 and 4 months— the longest of any of her relatives. Renée was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised on Willoughby Avenue in a 4-story brownstone— with her mom Beatrice Siegel; grandparents Isaac and Fanny; uncles Charlie, Meyer, and Louis; aunts Rosie and Helen, and many cousins. Renée fondly remembers weekly dinners cooked by her grandmother sitting around a table of 20 including her family and newly arrived immigrants. This welcoming attitude and nourishing people with food and love became one of the hallmarks of Renée’s life.
As a young woman, Renée became a bookkeeper and later worked in the garment district in New York City. The garment district suited her well as she had a love for fashion, especially for a 5 foot seven striking woman! On weekends, Renée spent a lot of time in the Catskills and at Dude ranches, always having adventures with good friends.
At the age of 25, while visiting Miami Beach, a young man said to her, “Wait a minute. I have a guy for you.” In her Renée style, she thought he must be crazy— until she saw the “guy,” who was even more handsome than Carey Grant!. Six weeks after meeting, Renée married Sol Rappaport, and later had 3 beautiful children that they raised in Massapequa, NY—Stephen, Laury, and Jodi.
Renée was active at the Massapequa Jewish Center and helped to put on shows as the Assistant Director. She loved the creativity and community. During the Massapequa years, Renée and Sol created a warm, inviting home where relatives visited weekly and cousins lived at various times. Steve, Laury and Jodi’s friends were always welcome— a home filled with fun, laughter, and deep conversations too. Many of the friends continue to this day to think of Renée as their other mother.
Perhaps the most satisfying accomplishment for Renée was investing in a property she and Steve named the City Island Diner in 1986. Steve got the business organized while Renée used her business acumen to turn a fledgling luncheonette into a local institution— great homestyle food and regular customers who all felt like a family. Renée’s popularity and the City Island Diner’s reputation made her seem like the “mayor” of City Island. Everyone loved her and spoke to her about anything and everything.
Renée also felt so blessed to have two grandchildren—Zoe and Ethan. When visiting, Zoe spent numerous days happily making milkshakes and working the cash register, much to the delight of Renée and her customers. Both grandchildren continued a close relationship until the end of Renée’s life.
Renée retired to Del Ray Beach in the early 2000's, where she spent time with her cousins and many friends. In 2010, Renée began a West Coast chapter of her life— and moved to Santa Rosa, California, where she made new wonderful friends, had amazing adventures, and enjoyed her time with Laury and Wayne (Laury’s husband) in Santa Rosa; Jodi, Michael (Jodi’s husband), and Zoe in Los Angeles, and many visits from Steve, Monica (Steve’s wife), and Ethan.
Coming full circle, Renée was at peace knowing that she would be buried with the Rappaport family at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Lindenhurst, Long Island. A funeral service was held on March 2, 2025 at the Star of David’s Isaiah Chapel, followed by a loving gathering of family and friends at a nearby diner.
We share with you two of Renée’s favorite sayings that guided us whenever we were navigating challenging times:
"Nothing stays the same. Things change."
"Everything happens for a reason. Even if something seems bad or didn’t turn out as hoped for, I believe that something better is going to come."
We love you Renée!
As a young woman, Renée became a bookkeeper and later worked in the garment district in New York City. The garment district suited her well as she had a love for fashion, especially for a 5 foot seven striking woman! On weekends, Renée spent a lot of time in the Catskills and at Dude ranches, always having adventures with good friends.
At the age of 25, while visiting Miami Beach, a young man said to her, “Wait a minute. I have a guy for you.” In her Renée style, she thought he must be crazy— until she saw the “guy,” who was even more handsome than Carey Grant!. Six weeks after meeting, Renée married Sol Rappaport, and later had 3 beautiful children that they raised in Massapequa, NY—Stephen, Laury, and Jodi.
Renée was active at the Massapequa Jewish Center and helped to put on shows as the Assistant Director. She loved the creativity and community. During the Massapequa years, Renée and Sol created a warm, inviting home where relatives visited weekly and cousins lived at various times. Steve, Laury and Jodi’s friends were always welcome— a home filled with fun, laughter, and deep conversations too. Many of the friends continue to this day to think of Renée as their other mother.
Perhaps the most satisfying accomplishment for Renée was investing in a property she and Steve named the City Island Diner in 1986. Steve got the business organized while Renée used her business acumen to turn a fledgling luncheonette into a local institution— great homestyle food and regular customers who all felt like a family. Renée’s popularity and the City Island Diner’s reputation made her seem like the “mayor” of City Island. Everyone loved her and spoke to her about anything and everything.
Renée also felt so blessed to have two grandchildren—Zoe and Ethan. When visiting, Zoe spent numerous days happily making milkshakes and working the cash register, much to the delight of Renée and her customers. Both grandchildren continued a close relationship until the end of Renée’s life.
Renée retired to Del Ray Beach in the early 2000's, where she spent time with her cousins and many friends. In 2010, Renée began a West Coast chapter of her life— and moved to Santa Rosa, California, where she made new wonderful friends, had amazing adventures, and enjoyed her time with Laury and Wayne (Laury’s husband) in Santa Rosa; Jodi, Michael (Jodi’s husband), and Zoe in Los Angeles, and many visits from Steve, Monica (Steve’s wife), and Ethan.
Coming full circle, Renée was at peace knowing that she would be buried with the Rappaport family at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Lindenhurst, Long Island. A funeral service was held on March 2, 2025 at the Star of David’s Isaiah Chapel, followed by a loving gathering of family and friends at a nearby diner.
We share with you two of Renée’s favorite sayings that guided us whenever we were navigating challenging times:
"Nothing stays the same. Things change."
"Everything happens for a reason. Even if something seems bad or didn’t turn out as hoped for, I believe that something better is going to come."
We love you Renée!
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Renée Rappaport, please visit our flower store.
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