Rita B. Fingold (Diamond) passed peacefully at Hospice in Broward Health North, Pompano Beach, Florida, early morning May 16, 2025. Born in Revere, Massachusetts on March 5, 1928, Rita grew up spending her summers on Revere Beach with her friends. She graduated from Revere High School in 1946 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University in 1950. At a time when few women pursued secondary education, she was able to go thanks to an academic scholarship and the ability to live at home and commute to school. Marrying Saul Fingold in 1954, they moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts, then Norwood, then Sharon, where they lived and raised their family for nearly 40 years. When her children were still young, Rita returned to school at night to earn her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Bridgewater State College, graduating at a time when teaching jobs were scarce. She returned to the business world and then to a position as a cost accountant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, at Medfield State Hospital, where she worked until her retirement at age 69.
Rita is survived by her children Howard Fingold (Rose), Iris Posin (Harry), and Helaine Fingold (Joel Tornari), and grandchildren Alex Bernstein (Becka), Melody Gentz (Zach), Mattea Tornari, and Louisa Tornari. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years Saul Fingold, her parents Bessie Rose (Katz) and Harry Diamond, and her brothers Israel and Daniel. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Rita was a life-long learner with a vigorous mind, was a voracious reader, and blossomed with the feminist movement of the early 1970s. She was active in her congregations, Temple Israel of Sharon, and, after relocating to Delray Beach Florida, Temple Torat Emet in Boynton Beach. She participated in the Sisterhood at each of her Temples, in Hadassah and in other religious activities throughout her life, including becoming a Bat Mitzvah as an adult. She also was active in the Brandeis Women’s book group. A lover of word puzzles and games, Rita was a fierce competitor in Scrabble, remaining largely unbeaten within the family for most of her life. Further, we all knew not to call her during her nightly date with Jeopardy. She also played Mah Jong, Bridge, Canasta, and various card games.
Rita will be missed but we are thankful for the long, active, and mostly healthy life that she lived. The family is holding a graveside service at 11:30am Wednesday May 21, 2025 at Moses Mendelsohn Cemetery, within Lindwood Memorial Park, 490 North Street, Randolph Massachusetts. There will be a small gathering after the service nearby. Details will be shared at that time. Donations in Rita’s memory can be made to Hadassah.org.
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