Irene Glassman Rifkind

RIFKIND, Irene Glassman, May 10, 2012. Daughter of the late Celia Pesses Glassman and the late Benjamin W. Glassman. Born in Houston, Texas, on June 27, 1921. Dear mother of Jeffrey A. (late Stephanie) Rifkind of Guerneville, CA, and the late Stephen P. Rifkind, M.D., J.D., of Santa Barbara, CA, loving grandmother of Clayton (Kineret) Rifkind of Winnepeg, Canada, great grandmother of Naftali and Miriam Rifkind of Winnepeg, Canada, dear sister of the late Samuel P. (late Doris) Glassman, loving aunt of Richard (Judy) Glassman, of St. Louis, great aunt of Debbie Gorman and Robert Glassman of St. Louis, cousin of Dorothy, Meyer and Ralph Minchen of Houston, TX, beloved companion of the late Monte Silverblatt, special life-long friend of Bobbie Jacobs, of Leawood, KS. Irene graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO and attended the University of Texas at Austin. She was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and the University Light Opera Company. In 1941, she moved to St. Louis. During World War II, she served as an Air Raid Warden in the Department of Defense and was an active volunteer of the American Red Cross. She received citations from each for her efforts. She was an avid tennis player and was a charter member of the Shaw Park Tennis Club. She continued playing until age 76. She was a 50+ member of the Miriam Foundation and served as president in 1958-59. She also served as vice-president of Temple Israel Sisterhood. Irene began her career at Maritz Inc. in 1975 as Executive Secretary to the Associate General Counsel, Henry Stolar. In 1978, she was appointed Maritz Representative to the St. Louis Chapter of Executive Women International. She was elected president in 1985. Her career at Maritz was one of the joys in her life. She maintained her close friendships with her executives and co-workers after her retirement in 1991 until her death. In 2000, she was selected for inclusion in the 2000-2003 edition of WHO’S WHO OF AMERICAN WOMEN, and in 2003, she was selected for inclusion in the 2004 edition of WHO’S WHO IN THE WORLD. She was also selected for inclusion in the 2006-2007 Silver Anniversary Edition of WHO’S WHO OF AMERICAN WOMEN. A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 31, 2012, 11 a.m. at Mt. Sinai Mausoleum Chapel, 8430 Gravois Road, Affton, MO 63123. Arrangements by Cremation Society of St. Louis, (314) 205-0022, www.stlcremate.com. If desired memorial contributions may be made to the Temple Israel, the Miriam Foundation or a charity of your choice.

Irene Glassman Rifkind

June 27, 1921 - May 10, 2012