Angelina M. Rashbaum

Ann (Angelina) M. Rashbaum, passed away at her daughter Paula’s home on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. She was buried on Friday, June 7, at Fairview Cemetery, in Westfield, NJ. A memorial service will be held for Ann on Sunday, July 14, at Paula’s home. Attendees will be asked to share their memories of Ann and to contribute a short (one page) written piece for a memory book dedicated to Ann’s life. Please email Paula’s husband John Willard at [email protected] for more information.

Ann was the child of immigrants from Sicily. Her father died when she was 8 years old and she took on a leading role in her family, helping to guide her mother (who did not speak English) and two siblings through negotiating life on the East Side of Manhattan in the 1930s. This experience laid the foundation for Ann’s lifelong independent spirit, can-do attitude, and determination.

Ann earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Hunter College and worked in the NYC public school system until her retirement in 1991, starting as a swimming teacher and rising to dean of students and then assistant principal.

Ann was devoted to enjoying a rich cultural life. She and her late husband Aaron regularly organized groups of friends to attend Broadway shows. They also chaperoned high school students at Metropolitan Opera rehearsals. For many years they had a vacation home in western Massachusetts and frequently attended Tanglewood performances.

Ann loved to travel, particularly with family and friends, and made numerous international trips, getting to every continent but Australia and Antarctica. Her outgoing spirit and playfulness connected her with those she encountered all over the world.

Ann is survived by her daughter Paula Ochs (John Willard) and son David Ochs (Josephine Pascua Ochs); her grandchildren Nathan Shackleford, Jess Ochs-Willard (Romée Schwab), and Anjelica Ochs.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann’s memory may be made to the Shelter Island Friends of Music – an organization that presents the fine classical music that Ann adored in the place that she loved.