She was a people person

Rita Blankstein, a resident of the Five Towns for about 30 years, died in Long Beach on July 12. She was 79.

Blankstein grew up in Brooklyn, attending Lincoln High School before graduating from Brooklyn College.

She became a real estate office manager, working for Michelmen Real Estate in Cedarhurst for about 15 years. She liked her job and enjoyed working in the area where she raised her kids, said her son, Jeffrey Blankstein.

Blankstein lived in three Five Towns communities. She lived in Cedarhurst for nearly eight years, Lawrence for approximately 12 years, and Woodmere for about seven years, before settling in Long Beach.

Her friends were from all the different places she lived and enjoyed being with people.

“She liked reading, going to concerts and being with her friends,” said her son, Jeffrey Blankstein. “She was very gregarious and friendly with many, many people; she was a real people person.”

Attending concerts was one of her favorite activities, her son said. She usually went to C.W. Post to listen to classical collections. In addition, when her children were in school, she was always part of the PTA in District 15.

Blankstein is survived by her daughter, Lori Silberlust and her husband Todd, Jeffrey Blankstein and his wife Elise, and grandchildren, Mellissa, Allison and Joshua Blankstein. Her husband, Alan Blankstein, predeceased her.

Services were held at Boulevard-Riverside Chapels in Hewlett on July 15. She was interred at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont.