Rosy and family,
      I was very sad when Dr. Sackstein passed away. I enjoyed playing dominoes with her after I finished my flute and piano lessons with Rosy. She always complimented my flute playing and told me how beautiful of a person I was inside and out which made me feel special. I was fortunate to watch her play piano at Rosy's a few times. I was only ten years old when she was in the hospital and therefore I couldn't do much to help her feel better. However, I was able to play music for her on my flute. I will never forget that last memory of how happy she looked that day. She was beautiful inside and out and I will love her always. 

Love,
Jessica O'Brien
Xoxoxo

Im so sorry to hear about Dr. Rosalina Sackstein's passing.  I had no idea,  I just found out.  But I had the privilege and the honor of being Dr Sackstein's student when I was 8 or 9.  I Will always cherish all the incredible moments, going to competitions and performing at Avon park, solos at the UM Frost school of music.  I do have to say one of the most incredible piano teachers ever! Incredible talent and prodigy to classic music! I owe it to her and I will always be grateful! Thank you Dr Sackstein for all those incredible piano lessons! May you RIP Dr Sackstein. My condolences to the family! You will truly be missed! God bless!

Dr. Sackstein and her family mean so much to me. She gave me the biggest opportunity of my life through a musical education and was my family away from home.  I will always be grateful for her faith in me even when I had little faith in myself. She gave me the tools I needed to be successful and shaped who I am today. 
To Dr Sackstein, 
Thank you for believing in me (and I'm sorry for all the times I didn't practice). You taught me so much about music and helped me in ways I am still realizing as I am now passing on to others what you have taught me. You will forever be in my heart and my hands. 
With Love,

John (Lawrence) Fairbanks

Rosy and family,

Your Mother, Rosalina, was a part of the fabric of my life as I studied music. I was not a direct student of hers yet I knew of her since childhood. My teacher, when I was young, referred to her often. As I played in the Federation or Guild I recognized and watched her students play. They were always excellent. This is an important part of a young student's education. Later, as I attended the University of Miami for my Bachelor's degree, I was able to interact with her more. She was always there in my Juries encouraging me and watching my development, even though I was studying with Dr. Max Lepper. She recommended me for various performances, as she was on the various committees.  I remember her as a formidable presence in the Music School. Just walking past her office hearing her students play, or walking past her in the hallway with a smile and greeting, are good memories. Later, as a piano teacher who attended the Miami Music Teacher's Association meetings, we got to know each other at a different level, as colleagues. I am saddened by her passing but grateful she has such a wonderful family who cared for her, as I did for my Mother.  Her Sprit and musical legacy will always be in my heart as a key figure in the fabric of my life as a musician and teacher. I am eternally grateful to have known her. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you as you celebrate her life in your hearts forever.

Rosy,
I'm so sorry to learn of your mother's passing. She was a truly special woman. Cherish your memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

I am one of the many piano students fortunate enough to have studied with Dr. Rosalina Sackstein. I came to Rosalina as a teenager, having moved to Florida from Massachusetts while in high school; I continued studies with her as an undergraduate at the UM School of Music. Upon graduation, she was very supportive when I left to do graduate studies at the Juilliard School. Many years later, I had an opportunity to do doctoral studies at UM, this time in the Collaborative Piano program. Rosalina was still teaching at UM. I mention all of this, because she continued to care about my life, personally and professionally, as she did all of her students.
  Dr. Sackstein was a superb, creative and dedicate teacher. She taught a school of technique - influenced by her teacher, pianist Claudio Arrau - for the purpose of serving the music, promoting good pianistic sound and musicality, and preserving the health of one’s hands and arms in the process. She made every student better, from the most talented to those with limited ability. She worked tirelessly with her students, oblivious to the clock. She was also demanding. Yet she – like any good parent, I imagine – balanced that with caring and affection. She and her husband, Harold, always opened their home to her students. Numerous pianists from her studio have gone on to have highly successful careers in varied areas of the music world. Others, I’m sure, are appreciative and educated music lovers and audiences.
   As a musician, Rosalina was complete. She was an excellent pianist in her own right, with total command of the keyboard and a wonderful memory. She had ears that were unsurpassed, she could sight-read the “telephone book” in her prime, solfege anything, and had great understanding of music theory. 
   All of these accomplishments and attributes, in addition to her longevity as a professor at UM, would be enough to celebrate her. However, what Rosalina was as a human being so influenced everything she did. She had integrity, as a person and as a music maker. She was a strikingly attractive woman with tremendous spirit, passion, and animation. She was very intelligent, quick, strong-willed, opinionated, and loyal. Her character was impeccable. She was devoted to and proud of her family.  She was musically active in the community, having served many years as President of Miami Civic Music Association.
  I can still hear her voice -- with that Cuban-born accent, yet with grammatically-correct English – resonating in my head from time to time: in situations where I recall her words of advice, encouragement, words of wisdom; also in musical situations when I work with students, colleagues, or just practicing alone. She taught me so much. I loved and respected her. 
  To Rosalina’s children and her entire family, I extend my love and heartfelt sympathy. May you find comfort and peace to know that she will continue to live on in you and in her countless students.  In addition, the fierceness with which you looked after her in the last several years – Rosy, you in particular -- so reflects the love and devotion Rosalina, herself, modelled.  Dr. Rosalina Sackstein was an extraordinary woman who made an indelible difference.  May her memory be eternal! 

I had the honor of studying with Rosalina Sackstein  while getting a Master's degree at UM from 1973 to 1975. After I graduated, we became duo piano partners for the next 6 years.  There are no words to describe the influence she had on my  college teaching and continued performance career.  She was a teacher, and mentor, and friend, and will be deeply missed by all her former students, and many friends.

 Linda Byrd, Orlando, Fl.

My condolences and prayers go out to the family of Rosalina Sackstein.  My memories of this wonderful musician, teacher and friend are always kind, beautiful and full of love.  What a wonderful mother and certainly mentor to many.  Rosalina Sackstein will certainly be missed, but will always be remembered with kindness and love.  Sincerely, Robert Krause - Canyon, Texas

OBITUARY

Rosalina G. Sackstein

March 5, 1923 – February 14, 2017

Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo/Kendall Memorial Gardens

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