Diane "Deena" Rubin

1960 - 2022

Diane "Deena" Rubin

Amherst, MA — Diane (Deena) Rubin was born on May 14, 1960 in Pittsburgh, PA. She was soon adopted by her loving parents Manny and Serene Rubin (D.). Deena lived across different states throughout her childhood and collected stories, memories and friendships in each place. She became a world traveler and spent years living in Israel and in England. Deena received an undergraduate degree in Hebrew and French from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a Master's in gerontology from the University of North Texas Denton. Her work in gerontology in England was so well-respected that she had the opportunity to meet Prince Philip.

In 1993, Deena settled in Amherst, MA. In Amherst, she set down roots in the Jewish community, where she tutored students for their b'nai mitzvot. Deena was passionate about education and activism. Over recent years, she shared her passion for social justice by writing op-eds in the Gazette, and was always excited to share what she learned through her research.

Deena was quiet, but easily connected in conversations with others; she was deeply curious. She loved to dress up for a themed party, and was known to wear themed outfits even to parties that did not call for them. Even though she suffered from MS for nearly 30 years, Deena made it a point to thoroughly enjoy life. She exuded optimism and nearly always had a smile on her face. She will be remembered for her loving and playful spirit.

Deena's family includes her beloved partner Daniel Griffith, her daughters Ayala and Yael, her granddaughter Lily, siblings Faith and Jonathan as well as step-children Sarah, John (D.), and Grace, and step-grandsons Matthew and Ronin. Deena leaves behind many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, and her cat Sammy.

Deena died of complications of COVID, despite being fully vaccinated and boosted. Due to medications for her MS that left her immunocompromised, she was more susceptible to COVID. As someone dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable among us, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, Deena would have wanted her story to be a reminder to consider how every one of us can do our best to protect our community from this disease.

In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly request donations be made to organizations near and dear to Deena's heart: Safe Passage in Northampton, MA (www.safepass.org) and/or The Amherst Survival Center (www.amherstsurvival.org).

The Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home is assisting the family.