10/10/08 - NNHS Newsletter -
Rita Sarfan Block Spirn

Rita Shirley Sarfan Block Spirn
(15 Apr 1919 - 09 Oct 2008)

Newport News High School Class of January 1936
 

NEWPORT NEWS - Rita Block Spirn, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and GiGi, passed away Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, at age 89. She loved her life and all of the people in it.

A life-long resident of Newport News, she was born on April 15, 1919, and graduated third in her class from Newport News High School in January, 1936. She was voted prettiest girl in her class. She left nursing school in Pennsylvania to marry her sweetheart, Irving Block, in 1938. Widowed in 1956, she led a busy and independent life and raised her two children. She married Lt. Col. (ret.) Sidney Spirn in 1968, and he predeceased her.

Rita was also predeceased by her parents, Leon and Rose Mirmelstein Sarfan; a brother, Benson Sarfan; two sisters, Helen Soefer and Frances Garfinkel; and brothers-in-law, Robert 'Bob' Soefer and Jack Lichtenstein.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Goldstein and husband, Ralph; son, Dr. David Block and wife, Ellen; step-children, Stuart Spirn and Susan Spirn Zander; her sister, Edythe Lichtenstein; brother, Mayer Sarfan and his wife, Dorene; her brother-in-law, Seymour Garfinkel; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many special, giving and loving friends.

Rita was active, thoughtful, caring, and interested in life, right up to the hour of her death. She graduated from Christopher Newport University at age 50, where she continued to enroll in classes as a Life Long Learner. She learned to read Hebrew, and had her Bat-Mitzvah at age 73. She traveled extensively all over the world, and enjoyed attending local opera, theater and symphony productions. She loved her weekly bridge and mah jong games, and she read voraciously. She loved flowers, gardening, fresh produce, cooking, and eating. She always looked forward to tomorrow, and 'today' was always the best day ever.

Rita was active in her community. Over the years, she was a member of the Brandon Garden Club. She was president of the Brandeis University National Woman's Committee. She chaired the United Jewish Appeal in 1955. She was an officer of Jewish Federation, National Council of Jewish women, and Rodef Sholom Temple Sisterhood. She was president of the Newport News Chapter of Hadassah in the 60's, an officer for many years, and managed the 'Plant a Tree in Isreal' program for over 50 years.

She was enthusiastic about life and she was a great example for how to live. May her memory be for a blessing.

Services will be at noon Friday, Oct. 10, at Rodef Sholom Temple, 318 Whealton Road, Hampton, VA 23666, with burial to follow at the Hebrew Cemetery of Virginia Peninsula.

In lieu of flowers or cards, please make donations to the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula, Inc., 2700 Spring Road, Newport News, VA 23606, Rodef Sholom Temple or to the charity of your choice.

Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on 10/10/2008.
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