Rita Rabinowitz

Rita Rabinowitz, age 91, of Bossier City, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Morris and Pauline Conner Lipsen on Friday, December 1, 1933.

Rita began her career in sales at Manchester's in Madison, Wisconsin, before marrying the love of her life, Keith Rabinowitz. She then became a devoted homemaker, caring for her family and embracing her role as a military wife. She was an active member of the Military Officers Wives Club and loved entertaining and supporting the military community. Later, Rita returned to the workforce as a retail clerk at Sally's Boutique.

Rita enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino and had a deep love for concerts, plays, and musicals. Her creative passions were boundless—Rita enjoyed reading, painting, playing bingo at the Benton Library, coloring, and doing a variety of arts and crafts. Her exceptional talent was evident in the intricate t-shirts, making porcelain dolls, and creating chess sets that brought attention to her unique abilities. One of her chess sets is displayed at the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C., and her pastel-painted Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set was exhibited at the Children’s Museum in Washington. Her work was so celebrated that a Russian ambassador wanted to comission her to create a custom chess set.

Rita never took for granted the value of family and friends. She cherished spending quality time with loved ones and often shared her love through her creative gifts.

Affectionately known as “Dr. Rita” to many, she was renowned for her knowledge of home remedies that seemed to work wonders. This affectionate nickname, given by Geoff Cazes, reflected her genuine care for others and her dedication to helping those around her.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 60 years, Keith Rabinowitz; her three brothers—Charles Lipsen, Hyman Lipsen, and Zell E. Lipsen—and her sister, Esther Coopersmith.

Left to cherish her memory are her four children: Cynthia "Cindy" Rabinowitz, Mike Rabinowitz and wife Floy, Sharon Robert and husband David, and Gail Rabinowitz; five grandchildren: Joshua Robert, Joe Robert and wife Margo, Matt Rabinowitz and wife Tabitha, Amy Claire Garcin and husband Daniel, and Ben Rabinowitz; three great-grandchildren: Rhett Robert, Olivia Rabinowitz, and Huey Garcin; two bonus great-grandchildren: Luke Mendez and Lily Mendez; one honorary grandson, Jack Jack Rabinowitz; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and numerous wonderful friends.

The family will receive guests for visitation on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 3:00 PM until the time of Rita’s Celebration of Life at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037. Rabbi Jana De Benedetti will officiate.

Interment will take place on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12:30 PM at Hill Crest Memorial Park, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037.

Honorary pallbearers will include Rita’s grandsons, son-in-law, and Geoff Cazes.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Rabbi Jana De Benedetti for her unwavering support during this time, as well as to the specialists and ICU team at Willis-Knighton Bossier for their compassionate care. A special thank you goes to Dr. Kennedy Lim, Abby Mercer, John Wetzlau, and Josh Rider for their dedication.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Rita Rabinowitz to B’nai Zion Congregation, 245 Southfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71105, (318) 861-2122.

https://www.youtube.com/live/G_D2qyyCLKg - is a link for those that cannot attend services in person.