Rolayne Kapelner

Rolayne Kapelner was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 20, 1927 and died on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. One of her earliest adventures was when she left school to tour with a dance company. At the age of 15, she and her friend Belle danced their way from New York City to Chicago and up to Canada. During WWll, Rolayne moved to Washington DC to work for the Veterans Administration. She met and married Sam Kapelner on Oct. 11, 1947, and together they moved to the Bronx. In 1954 Rolayne, Sam, and their family moved to East Hartford, CT. It was there that she renewed her passion for the performing arts. She became an active member of the Cue and Curtain Theater Company where she performed many roles. She was awarded the honor of Best Supporting Actress at the ALT Festival for her role in The Man Who Came To Dinner. Her love of the arts remained with her all of her life. Beginning in the 1970's she taught drama at The Albano Academy of Art in Hartford, CT. She would speak of her students with great enthusiasm and found joy in preparing their assignments. Rolayne also found great value and joy in education. In the 1960's she returned to school to earn her high school diploma and continued on to earn her Bachelor's Degree from Central CT State University. After earning her degree she worked as a social worker for the city of Hartford and ultimately earned the title of Grants Administrator. Rolayne was an avid reader and actively continued to learn by taking foreign language classes in Russian, Chinese and Italian. For decades she was a season ticket holder at the Metropolitan Opera and was known as an opera aficionado amongst family and friends. Up until the age of 80, she was an on the go world traveler. Rolayne loved horses and dogs. She had a keen sense of fashion, design and overall knowledge that would engage everyone she encountered. To this day, her knadle soup remains the highlight of her sumptuous Passover Seders. Most of all, Rolayne was filled with boundless love for her family and friends which will continue to be deeply remembered by all who love her. Rolayne leaves behind her daughter Cheryl Kapelner Champ, wife of Steve Champ, of Pomfret, CT. Her son David Kapelner and his wife Paula of Northboro, MA. Her son Josh Kapelner and his wife Linda. Her sisters Estelle Wilson and Marcia Banks of Frazier Park, CA. Grandchildren , Tyler Champ, his wife Jodi, Zachary and Michael Champ, Sarah and Rachel Kapelner and great-grandchildren Trevor and Jordan Champ and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Oct. 2, 2015 at 2pm at the Weinstein Mortuary 640 Farmington Ave. Hartford, CT. Interment will follow at the Temple Beth Tefilah Cemetery in Wethersfield, CT. Guest reception location to be announced. Donations to Albano Ballet, 15 Girard Ave., Hartford, CT. 06105