Rhoda Steinberg

Rhoda Steinberg, 98, died peacefully in her West Hartford, Connecticut home on Thursday, November 20. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut September 3, 1927.

She is survived by her children and their spouses; Joan Steinberg and Russell Clift, Carol Steinberg and Jerome Rubin, and James Steinberg and Paola Di Stefano; grandchildren and their spouses Miriam Rubin and John Stewart, Noah and Jacquelin Steinberg-Di Stefano, Julia Rubin and Destiny Keitt, Ilana and Zachary Wyner, and Zoe Steinberg-Di Stefano and Tyler France; and great grandchildren Ezra, Melodie, Maya, Issolina, and Marlowe.

She loved her family deeply and loudly, and was happiest when everyone was together.

Rhoda is predeceased by her best friend Fran Friedman, brother Jerome Nisselbaum, parents Miriam and George Nisselbaum, as well as her first husband and father of her children Marvin Steinberg. She spent over 30 years with her loving partner and travel companion Gerald Kent before he passed away in 2018.

Rhoda was a proud graduate of Weaver High School and University of Connecticut. She spent the majority of her career as a guidance counselor at Conard High School. She stopped at nothing to support young people to achieve their dreams, and did so while building lifelong friendships with her students and colleagues.

Rhoda kept her brain sharp with daily crossword puzzles and her stomach happy with nightly chocolate almond chip ice cream. She was always reading, and kept handwritten reviews of every book, rating them on a scale of “Not Great” to “Excellent.”

She was an avid learner until her final days -- engaged in politics, open-minded to those different from herself, and eager to learn about the rapidly-changing world around her.

In recent years, Rhoda had several wonderful caregivers that kept her safe, shared stories with her, and made her laugh daily. Her family is extremely grateful to the women that grew to become Rhoda’s close friends, and made it possible for her to live out her life peacefully in her own home.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 25 at 10:00am at Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, CT. The shiva will be held Tuesday and Wednesday 1:00pm-4:00pm at 276 Westpoint Terrace, West Hartford, CT. All are welcome to join the family in remembering Rhoda. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.