Dr. Rita Perlin

Rita was born on September 23, 1934, in the Bronx, NY, to parents David and Esther Kanegson. She had three older brothers, Morris, Abraham, and Louis, all of whom predeceased her. She grew up in the Bronx, spending her summers in Mountaindale, NY. Upon graduation from Monroe High School, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College. She went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education from Fordham University.

She began her education career in New York City as a substitute teacher. After completing a Master of Science degree at City College, she became a school psychologist in Rockland County. She later served as Chair of the School Psychology Department in the Clarkstown Central School District. She completed additional postdoctoral training in neuropsychology. After retiring from public service, she maintained a private clinical psychology practice.

She married Seymour Perlin in Monticello, NY. They resided in the Bronx until 1966, when they and their children moved to Tappan. Rita served as President of the Rockland County Psychological Society (RCPS, 1976) and later as President of the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA, 2005). She loved hosting large family gatherings and was an excellent cook. Her impeccable taste was expressed in continual home remodeling projects. She was a proud lifetime member of Hadassah.

Rita was an amazingly beautiful and gracious lady who was known for her generosity, kindness, intelligence, love of life, keen insight, and persistence.

She is survived by her children: Mark (Ria David), Ken (Un Joo Christopher), Joan (Ross Herman), and Liz O'Hara. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ariel (Ellie), Jonathan, and Eitan Perlin; Jillian, Jacob (Celina Coss), and David Herman (Madeline Perun); and Thomas, Jacqueline, Michael, and Teigan O'Hara. She is further survived by her great-grandchildren Reuben Herman and Ruby Perlin.

May her memory be a blessing.

Funeral Service will be held at Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977, on June 23, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

Interment will take place at Cedar Park Cemetery, 735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652, on June 23, 2026.

Funeral services are under the direction of Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 (845) 356-8600 Jewish Funeral Directors.