Rivy “Rivka” Chapman 89 of St. Pete Beach passed away March 18, 2019. Rivy was born on Goldberg Avenue in Norwich, Connecticut on June 6, 1929. She graduated from Norwich Free Academy and went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Mt.
Holyoke College in 1951. Later in life, she returned to school and received her Master’s Degree from the University of South Florida, with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Rivy was an avid sportswoman who enjoyed water skiing, swimming and playing basketball.
She was a piano player and always had jazz, classical and folk music on at home. She adored the game of Scrabble. Sunflowers were her favorite flower and she was passionate about nature and preserving the planet.
She was a reader and had an enormous collection of books, including Judaica and children’s books. Her sense of humor was enjoyed by all. Rivy devoted her life to teaching and volunteering.
She taught pre-school for many years as well as teaching the methods of early childhood education to potential teachers. Rivy volunteered at Congregation B’Nai Israel, St. Petersburg and taught in their afternoon religious. She dedicated many years of service to Menorah Manor, where she received the honor of Volunteer of the Year in March 2017.
Rivy was a lifelong member of Hadassah and served in many positions on the board of the local chapter. She traveled multiple times to Israel and loved all things relating to Judaism. She received great joy from celebrating the Jewish holidays with family and friends and her favorite holiday was Sukkot.
Over her lifetime, Rivy influenced many people of all ages and backgrounds. She was always willing to help those in need. Rivy is survived by two children from her first marriage to Alan Mencher (Sherry Mencher).
The children are daughter, Robyn Mencher and son, Eric Mencher (daughter-in-law Cathy Mencher). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Daniel Mencher and Alex Weiner, great grandchildren, Anna and Leighton Mencher, nephews Ross, Marc and David Mandell, niece (Elise Drexler), and cousins (Sam, Steve and Gordon Goldberg and Robert Silverberg). Rivy was preceded in death by her second husband (Rabbi Morris B. Chapman), brother, Harvey Mandell, cousins Orrin “Orrie” and Harold Silverberg, and beloved grandson, Joshua Mencher.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Thursday, March 21, 2019 at David C. Gross Funeral Home, 6366 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Park, Largo. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating, in Rivy’s honor, to Menorah Manor (St. Petersburg), Congregation B’Nai Israel (St. Petersburg) or the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary (Indian Shores, FL).
David C. Gross Funeral Home, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family.
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