Joann "Jodi" Reiss

Joann "Jodi" Reiss was born in New York City to Elayne Terker and Irving Brent. She was raised by her mother and her adoptive father Richard "Dick" Rubin in Riverdale, NY. She was always an excellent student, advanced for her age, and very capable. She met Ian while she was in college at Barnard and he was in college at Columbia. They married in 1963 and, after some moving around for Ian's medical training and service in the Vietnam war, they settled in Miami, Florida in 1972 with the first three of their four children. Over the next 15 years, Jodi dedicated herself to her children, her friends, and her family. She was widely admired and loved by all. She often said that being a mother was her favorite thing, and she loved her children and grandchildren deeply. After she and Ian divorced in 1987, she focused on her career as a professor. She received her master's degree in teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from FIU. She then taught in the department for several years before being asked to lead it as Program Director. Like everything else, she did this with remarkable success. She also went on to author four books about TESOL. Her students admired and appreciated her, and she found fulfillment in being a professor and helping others. It was during this time that she met her second husband, Ron Elkind. Together they embraced a shared passion for sailing. Each year they would spend months in the Caribbean. Jodi delighted in snorkeling and swimming and made many friends along the way. After her second divorce, Jodi moved to Gleneagles in Delray Beach, which she fondly called 'adult camp.' She thrived there - playing tennis and cards, enjoying dinner and dancing, taking part in committees, and most of all, building friendships that brought her joy. And in her last chapter, she found another beautiful and supportive community at Abbey Delray South. Here she again made friends, enjoyed activities, and shared time with friends and family. She will be remembered for her warmth, love of people and their stories, and for the many roles she embraced. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, cousin, professor, confidant, and dear friend. She is survived by her four children: Andrew (Laura), Chris ( Lindsey), Jordan (Maggie), and Ashley (Bob) and her nine grandchildren Marissa, Samantha, Ella, Ilan, Logan, Charlie, Theo, Jacob and Hannah. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 21 at 11 am at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Delray Beach 5808 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33484. Shiva will follow at Andrew and Laura's home until 6 pm. 11865 Preservation Ln, Boca Raton. Friday Shiva continues Friday 4-8 pm at Jordan and Maggie's house. 7930 Redwood Ln., Parkland. Those wishing to honor Jodi with a memorial contribution are kindly encouraged to consider a donation to Kindness Matters at: https://km365.org