Helen B. Rittenberg

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Helen Bernice Rittenberg of Newton, a career educator and educational psychologist, passed away on August 8, 2025 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She was 88.

A graduate of Boston University School of Education, Columbia University Teachers College, and the Boston College School of Education, Helen taught at the elementary school level in New York from 1958 until 1974. She served as the Assistant Principal of the Mamaroneck Avenue School in Mamaroneck NY (1974-1977) and subsequently the Principal of the Williams School in Newton MA (1977-1979), which brought her to the community where she resided for the rest of her life. She taught in neighboring Brookline at the Lawrence School from 1979 to 1987.

In 1987, Helen transitioned to her second career in private practice as an educational psychologist, recognizing that many of the challenges of teaching stem from children’s mental health struggles, home life situations, and diverse learning needs.

Born in Boston in January 1937 and raised in Brookline, Helen returned from New York to make her home in the Waban neighborhood of Newton in 1977 with Lois Levin, a clinical psychologist and fellow native of Brookline, to whom she had been introduced in 1963 by a mutual friend. For the remaining nearly half-century of Helen’s life, they lovingly renovated their Victorian home and tended its spectacular grounds.

On September 12, 2004 – following the legalization of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts in a November 2003 court decision on behalf of their friends Julie and Hillary Goodridge – Helen and Lois were married at their home in Newton. The tagline of the wedding was “Some things are worth the wait…” The wedding guest list featured many loving family members and friends, including the Goodridge family, as well as Helen’s classmate from Brookline High School, Kitty Dukakis and her husband, former Governor Michael S. Dukakis (LoisAndHelen.com).

Helen and Lois traveled extensively, including trips throughout Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and more. They enjoyed exploring nature and meeting new people. They also eventually acquired their “home away from home,” an apartment in Sarasota, Florida, which they visited in the winter for many years. Earlier in their lives, they would spend summers in East Falmouth, MA, at Lois' family summer home, or at their shared vacation home in Harrison, ME.

In 2008, inspired by their childhood experiences of cycling everywhere in Brookline, they founded the bicycle safety advocacy organization BikeNewton, and promoted an annual family fun ride called the Tour de Newton.

Helen will be widely remembered by those who knew her for her quick wit, her superb teaching abilities, and her warm and welcoming presence to many friends and relatives. She enjoyed showing hospitality to anyone who stopped by and always loved to strike up a conversation.

Helen Rittenberg is survived by her wife, Lois Levin, and her African Gray Parrot, Niki – a frequent companion on her shoulder for more than three decades. She also remained close with many surviving relatives near and far, including her nephew Dr. David Alpert, her cousins Audrey Frank and Nancy Kahn, and her cousins’ children, Erica, Carolyn and Melissa, and her goddaughter Jeanine Primm Jones. Helen was also very close with many of Lois' family members: including Helen’s late parents-in-law Dr. Sidney Levin and Pearl “Peachy” Koufman Levin, her sister-in-law Sally Brotman and her husband Carl, and her brother-in-law Roy Levin and his wife Carla. She also had a “found family” in New York City of Martin and Laura Mendez, their daughter Lola, and Sebastian Mendez, all of whom she called her “Argentine nieces and nephews.” Helen was pre-deceased by her parents Edward Rittenberg and Bertha Kaden Rittenberg and her sister Judy.

A celebration of Helen Rittenberg’s life will be held at her home in Waban on September 3, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.