Elaine Ceceille Rothenberg

Elaine Nemeth Rothenberg - or as many affectionately call her, “Gommy” - passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025 at 92, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves behind a rich legacy of positivity, generosity, and love.

Born in Middle Village, New York on June 17, 1933, she grew up, a first-generation American, in a close-knit community of family - surrounded by grandparents, parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. From her very beginnings, love for one’s family was everything.

In the 1940s, Elaine moved with her parents to South Florida, when her father became Chief of Police for the town of West Miami. She attended Miami Senior High School, and during this time she met her future-husband Barry, who was attending University of Miami. After marrying, she went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky with Barry, while he served in the military. It was here they had their first child, Larry. After two years in Kentucky, they returned to Miami where they had Lori and then Mark. Every Sunday in Miami, her large extended family would gather for brunches and BBQs. A consummate hostess, people were drawn to her generous and kind spirit, and the openness of her home. In fact, many of her children’s friends over the years felt as though she was their second mother and a source of support and love.

Elaine had many interests and talents. She was a talented bookkeeper, working well into her 60s. She was very involved in Jewish charitable causes. In the 1960s, she and Barry went to Israel with the Jewish National Fund participating in the formation of the city Mei Ami (named after Miami, Florida). She was well-read. She loved to travel, going on cruises, vacationing in Central Florida and North Carolina, and visiting her family across the country. Most importantly, she always attended the activities and events of her children and grandchildren - countless ballgames and dance recitals and graduations.

In 1994, Barry passed away, and Elaine kept his legacy of unshakeable optimism and positivity alive, and led as the matriarch of her family for over three decades. She touched countless lives with her warm, loving, non-judgmental nature, and her ability to see joy in each moment. Her smile was infectious and would light up every room she was in. Even in her final days, she frequently expressed her unconditional love to her family and continued to exude the strength, inner-peace, and serenity that characterized her life.

Her family takes great comfort in knowing the welcome party that was waiting for her as she passed, as she was predeceased by her parents Rose and Jack, her sister and brother-in-law Muriel and Sam, and her beloved soulmate Barry.

She leaves behind a family to continue to her legacy - her children, Larry, Lori & Joel, and Mark & Ellen; her grandchildren, Stuart & Lindsey, Andrew & Liz, David & Brooke, Adam & Alexis, Julie & Garrett, Jared, Brandon & Danielle, and Emily; and ten (soon to be twelve) great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

A funeral service will be held at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo (Kendall), located at 5900 SW 77th Ave, Miami, FL, 33143, United States. The service is scheduled for August 4, 2025, from 10:00 am.