Doris (Deanie) Goldstein Robinson

ROBINSON: Doris (Deanie) Goldstein Robinson, on Friday, June 24, 2017. Born October 3, 1924, daughter of the late Sadye Katz Goldstein and Ruben (Ruby) Goldstein. Beloved wife of the late Leonard Robinson. Loving mother of Randy Robinson and Rochelle Robinson Sufrin. Grandmother of Lianne Samantha Sufrin and Rebecca Shayne Sufrin. Sister of the late Marion Goldstein (late Nathan) Kart and Harriet Goldstein (late John J.) Cohen. Survived by nieces and nephews; Harvey (Barbara) Kart of Florida, Dr. Barry (Jane) Kart of Pittsburgh and Florida, Richard (Nancy) Cohen of New Paltz, N.Y., and Florida, Beverly F. Grossman formerly of Kingston, Pa., and Florida, Marian (Norman) Chalphin of Florida, Eric (Maddy) Stusnick of California, Louis Robinson of Harrisburg, Pa., and Rachel Meyer of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Part of large maternal and paternal extended family, totaling 18 aunts and uncles, Deanie often lunched throughout her life with the cousins’ club and loved hearing about the scores of updates of children and grandchildren ­— some lucky enough to take refuge from dorm food while at the University of Pittsburgh. Doris was born and raised into a family of entrepreneurs in Brownsville, Pa., to owners of R.S. Goldstein’s women’s department store and where she worked whenever needed. While in her first year of college at Penn State University, her father unexpectedly passed away and she was called to return home and attend college closer to Brownsville. Having only an eighth-grade education, her mother insisted her daughters have the benefit of a college education. Her sisters were married and raising families. She worked in the store on weekends while attending Carnegie Mellon University, then monthly while raising her family in Pittsburgh, taking her daughter (and her parents’ only granddaughter) with her most times. She graduated in 1946 from Carnegie Institute of Technology (CMU). Deanie designed advertisements and promotions for the store among other responsibilities. With her talent for marketing and baking, she was an inspiration to both of her children in their chosen professions. Deanie, named after her paternal grandmother Dini Goldstein (a third generation entrepreneur) from Brownsville, she was known for her splendid family gatherings and marvelous baking and cooking presentations at Yom Kippur, Passover, Thanksgiving and other holidays, taking after her mother, Sadye and grandmother Reze Katz from Bouquet and Dawson streets in Oakland. After raising her family on Denniston Avenue for 25-plus years, Deanie lived at The Atrium for 25-plus years until her recent move to Sunrise Senior Living. In her second career, she worked as a teller at Mellon Bank at Fifth Avenue and Craig Street in Oakland for 15 years and volunteered along with her peers and retirees. She was co-chair of NCJW’s Designer Days and delivered food to shut-ins for Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Tree of Life and Rodef Shalom Sisterhoods for more than a quarter century each and was the second of four Rodef Shalom member generations. Woven into her generous spirit was an astute businessperson with a sharp wit; she was a fun-loving gal who loved convertible cars and the beach. She was a star of the party with the most unexpected sense of humor until the end, a lover of family and being among people and an avid mah-jongg player. Lastly, she was an independent woman who managed to maintain the sweetness of the little girl that remained from her childhood. She was a true Renaissance woman who many referred to as “remarkable.” “Doris G” will be sorely missed by friends and loved ones. Services were held at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. Interment at West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Memorial donations may be made to B.A.R.C. Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation, PO Box 97, 69 Market Street, Brownsville, PA 15417 or Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412-621-6566) or Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, 1 N. Linden Street, Duquesne, PA 15110.

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