Rita Maxine Selman, 88, passed away on September 18, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was born on November 21, 1934 to Rose and A.M. Liebman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rita grew up in Philadelphia and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut, achieving Phi Beta Kappa honors. She earned her Master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Maryland, and maintained her practice for 23 years.
Rita was a gifted musician with perfect pitch and could play the piano by ear. She enjoyed all genres of music, both as a musician and a patron. She liked playing bridge, as well as other card games. A special place for Rita was the beach, which was a gathering place for family and fun since her youth.
Rita married her love, David Selman in 1957 and the couple spent 66 wonderful years together, most of them in the Washington, DC area. To Rita, her family was everything. She was always so full of life and had a positive effect on everyone who knew her. Rita was warm, loving, and effervescent, and she will be deeply missed.
Rita is survived by her husband, David Selman; daughters, Susan (Bob) Rogers, and Mary Ellen (Fred) Smyser; and grandchildren Fred (Katie) Smyser, Mike (Alyssa) Smyser, Carolyn Rogers, and Jay Rogers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Temple Emanuel in Kensington, Maryland through their website at templeemanuelmd.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reyersnorthvalleychapel.com for the Selman family.
