Rita G Seidner

Rita G. Seidner passed away on January 14, 2025. She died peacefully in the presence of her daughter (Andrea Burling), son-in-law (Tom Burling), and good friend (Jane Marshall). Both of her grandchildren (Matt and Greg Seidner) and other family members (Matt's wife, Katie, and daughter, Leigh) also were by her side shortly preceding her death. Rita had fought a number of illnesses in recent years, including advanced kidney, heart, and lung disease; as well as multiple myeloma.
Rita was born on December 28, 1933. She married her husband (Burt Seidner) on August 26, 1956. They were married for almost 56 years. She and Burt had two children, two grandsons, and two great-granddaughters. In 1994, Rita and her husband moved from Great River, NY to Boynton Beach, FL and they remained there until they died.
Rita graduated from Boston University in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in Education. She taught for 40 years, 36 as a 1st grade teacher at Connetquot Elementary School in East Islip School District. Rita was so successful that families often requested her for their younger children based on how well she'd taught their older children.
Rita was a very social, energetic, and curious person. She had a large number of friends, many of whom also moved from Long Island to the Boynton Beach area. She and her husband knew many of them for 60 and 70 years.
Together with her husband and friends, Rita traveled the US and the world, going on numerous, long car excursions, lots of cruises, and many other trips. When not travelling, she frequently went out to eat, played mahjong and canasta, and went to countless concerts and shows. In her community, Rita did ceramics, was a longtime Investment Club member, was an early Computer Club officer, was on the clubhouse Entertainment Committee, and ran the resident electronic mailing list (PIREX) for many years. Most meaningful for Rita was her longtime work for the community's PAP Corps, an organization that raises money for cancer research. She was a member and an officer, including President. She started this work long before all four members of her immediate family got cancer. Rita also volunteered with her daughter and son-in-law a number of years at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Rita enjoyed working with the dogs there and her calm, soothing approach helped re-socialize the shy, scared, and abused dogs.
Rita's greatest pride was her children and grandchildren. In recent years, she was additionally blessed with two great-granddaughters whom she loved dearly. Although her family lived far away (CA, OH, MA, and London), they came to visit, and in recent years had biweekly or weekly family Zoom calls that she loved. Rita's kitchen, office, den, and bedroom were covered with pictures of her family and she looked at them constantly.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Burt, in 2012, and her son, Doug (Mary). Sadly, Doug died unexpectedly in 2021 after a long battle with leukemia. Rita's brother, Malcolm (Sylvia) also predeceased her in 2008. Rita is survived by her daughter, Andrea (Tom), grandsons Matt (Katie) and Greg (Cassie) and their respective daughters (Rita's great grand-daughters), Leigh and Penny.
Services will be Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Beth Israel Boynton Beach Chapel (11115 Jog Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33437).
Interment will follow the services at South Florida National Cemetery (6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449). (There will be a police escort from the service to the cemetery.)
Shiva will take place at the house (9870 Harbour Lake Circle, Boynton Beach, FL 33437):
-Wednesday January 22rd at 12:00 - 2:00PM (following the burial)
-Wednesday January 22rd at 5:00 - 7:00PM
-Thursday, January 23rd from 3:00 - 5:00PM
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the National Marrow Donor Program (formerly "Be the Match") - nmdp.org.