Leonora ‘Lee’ Roth, longtime Rockville Centre educator, dies at 100

ool principal Leonora “Lee” Roth died on Feb. 11 at her home in Westchester. She was 100.

Roth lived in Rockville Centre from the 1940s until 2000. She was the principal of the William S. Covert Elementary School until 1984, when she retired at the age of 70 — the mandatory state retirement age at the time. Unbeknownst to her then, parents and teachers petitioned Albany to waive the rule in her case because they wanted her to remain principal.

Roth was a teacher at heart. During her off time, she would teach English to Native Americans who had never learned to read or write, would tutor students and was a leader in the Girl Scout Brownies. She was also an active member of Central Synagogue.

She and her husband, Dr. Lee Roth, lived on Morris Avenue and later on Hempstead Avenue, where they raised their three children.

Roth was predeceased by her husband in 1980. She is survived by her children Susan Nurin, Gail Meister and Merrill Roth, and her grandchildren Tara, Justin, Miriam, Stephen and Nina.

Funeral services were held at Temple Israel of Northern Westchester on Sunday, Feb. 16. Contributions in her memory can be made to Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, Glengary Road, Croton N.Y., 10520, or to the Hendrick Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry Rd, Montrose N.Y., 10548.