First – I send you hugs. I was so sorry to hear about your mother’s death, as was my whole family. Oliver and Asia, having seen you mom so recently, were almost disbelieving.
Letting go of loved ones is the toughest thing we have to go through. Your mom, and your dad too, were such great spirits and I know their memories will buoy you.
I remember so well the walk in Riverside Park (I am pretty sure it was spring) when I ran into my Uncle Phil (my neighbor back then) strolling along with a beautiful lady – lo and behold – Rhona Ginn - sporting an engagement ring. My that was exciting. I may have been the first in our family to learn the news. Soon after their St. Moritz Hotel wedding (and I know you already know about the almost matching wedding dresses – Asia and Rhona), your parents moved to that great apartment at 78th and Broadway where I had the pleasure of many visits and the occasional dinner. This was of course your first home.
I always associate music with that home – and it had a real influence on me. Your dad gave me numerous albums over the years – right now I am listening to Stravinsky’s Petrouchka – something he introduced me to. I remember a wonderful evening at the Apthorp – the grand apartment house across Broadway – where you mom joined some of her musical friends – in a recital - this time I am pretty sure she was playing the flute. I wish I could remember what they played.
I had several great visits with the LA Sterlings. Probably the most memorable was at Thanksgiving – you dad barbequing the turkey – fabulous stuffing, and you and our Sarah parading around in dress-up – highlighted by your mother’s underwear.
I just want you to know that you have my very real sympathy and I wish you all the best to get through this tough time and carry on.
- Philip Stern, nephew of Philip Sterling (Rhona’s husband)
Dearest Mila,
Although you always thank us for having introduced your mom and dad, those reading these tributes may be amused to hear why and how it all came about.
Rhona and I met teaching at the Walden School in Manhattan. She was the music teacher and I was a student teacher assigned to Walden, while getting my 1st Master’s Degree at The Bank Street College of Education.
For special classes such as art and music, home teachers didn’t have to accompany students and had a free period. I chose to sit in on my 3rd graders music class at the start of the school year and never missed a class thereafter. What a treat it was to see how Rhona, the music teacher, somehow managed to involve every one of the kids and get them to feel both excited and successful about whatever instrument she handed them. For me, it was one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. Rhona and I soon became friends and began to spend time together after school — seeing foreign films, going to museums, taking a modern dance class at the New School, having dinner at each other’s apts., sharing stories about our families and guys we’d dated and always enjoying our time together.
Fast forward 3 yrs. and I met my husband to be, George Guidall. He was off to a Rep.Co.in Michigan only weeks after we met. We saw each other one weekend in December, became engaged in early July and had a big wedding in late August. (Pretty gutsy, even by today’s standards!) We returned to Michigan where George continued to perform in the same Rep. Co. for the next ten months before we returned to live in NYC.
One of George’s first summer stock jobs was where he became friends with an actor who was another Manhattanite who happened to live around the corner from us in the Hotel Ansonia (where many people in the theater lived).
Soon after the show ended and they both returned to Manhattan, we all agreed to meet at his apartment for drinks and then go out for dinner. There and then the bells started to ring! Entering Phil’s apartment was as though I was inside a mirror image of my dear friend Rhona’s apartment. The same piano, the same furniture, the same colored walls. It blew my mind! Thankfully, without consulting with George, I immediately told Phil he had to meet my friend, if only to confirm their similar taste in how they set up their living space.
Fortunately, he did call her and the rest is history. We had very honorable roles in their wedding ceremony and I was then pregnant w/Keren.
We remained very close until the sad day (for us) when they moved to CA! We remained close throughout the years by phone, writing, visiting when each of us was in the other coast. Rhona never lost her smile, her humor, her huge loving heart and her ability to serve us the best cold soups in the world!!!
She and Phil were very much in love with you, their one and only beautiful daughter, and very proud of all your art work and talent!
I miss her terribly and she won over George’s heart, as well. Your mom and dad both felt blessed to have you and you were very blessed to have them!!!
As Rhonitchka might say: may you always enjoy good health and have loving friends in your life, always!!! Sending you all our love and many hugs,
= Linda Appleman Shapiro & George Guidall, friends
I forgot to mention in my speech (to my chagrin) something adorable and sweet my mom used to do with anything she ate. There was always, ALWAYS some kind of comment or critique. It’s hard to relate in words because her expressions had so much to do with it. You may have witnessed it. It was very cuteand my dad and I used to tease her about… sometimes it was ‘(takes a bite and doesn’t smile but looks a little quizzical, thinking) It’s okay. (Pause) It needs something’… or if she made it herself ‘it was better last night. It’s a little tough today.’ That was like a C- meal. There were varying good responses that were in the B, A- range. “That was tasty! I really enjoyed that. This place is definitely something we should try again. The salmon was my favorite etc.’ But… if she really really loved something she’d look at me and say ‘MMMM! Oh Milatchka this is DELICIOUS! Mmmm just heavenly... wow! SOOO yummy’ and on and on. It was almost lusty. And then after the meal she’s say ‘wasn’t that just sooo divine?! Mmm.’ And then the next day, a week later ‘That was the one of the best meals I’ve ever had/made. YUMMISSIMO!’ If It was one of her pies she’d ask how I liked it (sooo good always) and her eyes would dance and she’d say ‘it WAS good wasn’t it?’ conspiratorially, like it was a secret evil thing we did. I don’t think I’ll every know anyone who has that kind of emotional reaction to everything. I’ll miss it dearly.
-Mila Sterling, daughter
Rhona and Phil were the first of Joe’s friends that I met and we quickly became close friends, sharing many dinners and laughs together. Rhona’s love of puns are legendary and I remember the devilish look on her face when she would have one brewing. Needless to say they emitted both groans and giggles. Our birthday’s are only a few days apart and for many years we observed them as a foursome. I remember Rhona “kidnapping” Phil from the MP Hospital for a traditional celebratory dinner.
I also remember many years of good times. I miss them....and her.
Rest in love, my friend.
- Barbara Greene Ruskin, friend
Rhona my beautiful friend,
You live in my heart. So kind and loving and gifted and funny The sweet memories I have of the times we spent together . I cherish those memories. I miss you, dear girl. And there's no one meeting me at GREEN APPLE. It's no fun without you I love you.
-Alice Hirson, friend
To Rhona:
When I moved to NY 3 years ago to be closer to my Mom, the first thing I bought was a piano. I played daily and thought of you changing the shape of my hands or catching every wrong note or nuance. We talked that year after my move. We exchanged great books we both loved. How I miss all of that. Since you left us, I have had great difficulty even sitting at my piano. You taught my daughter- agreeing to work with her tiny little hands at our persistent urging. She learned to read music long before she could actually read words. You took me as a returning senior pianist and put up with my bad jokes and not stellar playing. But you always were so encouraging and warm and loving. I miss you. In honor of your Memorial, I have decided it is time to play the piano again. instead of just looking at it and being paralyzed. You gave me such joy. So I now want to, in my own way, celebrate you. I love you, Rhona. I will always feel you over my right shoulder pointing out the wrong notes. Chopin awaits.
- Susan Winston, friend
Rhona…
The first three words that come to me are Family, Food and Humor.
Rhona was my “much older cousin”. I used to think of her as part of another generation but as we got older we felt much like we were in the same “bucket”! I was a rebellious young thing and was estranged from my family for a number of years. When I came to my senses..…what I remember is the warmth, inclusion and love Rhona extended without any judgement. There was plenty of that to go around but I never for a moment felt it from her. She was accepting. She was curious. She had a big heart and family was family. She welcomed me always with a hug, a wide smile and food! Her big heart surrounded so many and what a gift to all of us who were in that circle.
To say our family wasn’t big on humor is a wild understatement, but we could always rely on Rhona for a good joke and a belly laugh or to make fun of the quirkiness of our relatives, especially her mother, my aunt…always with love, the perfect Russian accent, great one liners…. always with the gusto of a good laugh at their expense. Her imitations were priceless.
Rhona was also a “foodie” but one with her guests as top priority. She insisted on making elaborate meals, leaving a total disaster in her kitchen out of which would come delicious creations. She loved our birthdays celebrated with a home cooked meal and capped with “Happy Birthday” at her piano along with cake and candles no matter how old we were!! But it was her pies I coveted, hoarding the leftovers to eat with coffee the next morning.
I will miss her warmth. The glow will last a long time for so many.
- Ellen Burke, cousin
I remember emotions and general feelings.
With your Mom, as a child I remember how much I loved her and looked up to her as a gorgeous, girl with classy ways and a multitude of talents. I sought her out at every gathering, and she was always open and kind to me. I can never remember her ever saying a mean thing.
I hate to think of her no longer with us, but her life was rich and full and I know she made a lot of people happy. She was Rhona, shining, smiling Rhona.
- Arlene Montemarano, cousin
What a purrfect announcement you've sent out, of your Mom, which reminded me of her express desire to evoke through her piano playing, in chords and tones -- as the Russian Expressionist Kandinsky did thru color and images -- the most lovely allure to draw out of me my rural upbringing in the Ozarks. Do you remember Kandinsky's 1935 painting Brown with Supplement? Rhona could play that for me. Rhona found a place in my heart that remains a treasure, owing to poignant memories I have of her wonderful nature. Loved how she'd light up at a party.
My first childhood pet was a collie named Brownie, whom I adored, as much as how Rhona made me feel about culture thru art. I'll miss her Rachmaninoff like Brownie's bark when chasing squirrels: absolutely rhapsodic!
Thanks so much for sharing another fine piece of art work (Rhona in brown) by the master, YOU.
xoxo,
me&theLama
- Charlie Reeb, friend