Obituary: Irene Feingold Rothstein

Irene Feingold Rothstein, age 86, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away with her children by her side Dec. 3, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Los Altos, Calif. Irene was born in Birmingham, Ala., on April 22, 1934, to the late Della and Abraham Feingold. She grew up in Cordele, Ga., and moved to Atlanta when she and Herman Rothstein were married in 1955.

Irene’s love and devotion to her husband Herman of 55 years, their six children, and her older sister Bettye was endearing.

As a youth, Irene was valedictorian of her Cordele High School graduating class and an avid clarinetist. She was a member of the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band. In her adult years, along with being a devoted wife and amazing mother of six, Irene enjoyed a career of nearly 30 years at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center. Her personal interests were fitness, swimming, gardening, cooking, volunteering and especially traveling.

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Accompanied by one or more of her children, Irene visited all 48 contiguous United States. Globally she traveled to Canada, Japan, India, Italy, Germany and France. She topped it off, fulfilling a lifelong dream with her daughter Donna, on an amazing journey to Israel, where they reunited with Israeli exchange students who had lived in Atlanta with the Rothstein family many years before.

Irene was always giving back to her community whether it was as president of the PTA, Boy Scout den mother, Brownie leader, or actively participating in the latest aerobics charity benefit of the 1980s.

She even traveled annually to Florida to support and participate in her son’s aerobics charity efforts. A favorite memory from childhood is sitting at the kitchen table to make and decorate M&M cookies with friends. On special occasions and high holidays Irene’s family and friends enjoyed the magic of her banana pudding and kugel dishes. These treasured recipes were handed down to Irene by her mother Della.

In recent years, Irene shared these family recipes with some of her children’s friends, assuring this delicious tradition would carry on. To all who knew Irene, her legacy, never ending love and inner strength live on in many ways.

Irene was predeceased by her husband Herman Rothstein, and her son-in-law, Alan Bayer. She is survived by her sister Bettye Schwartz; her sons Alfred, Leon (Debbie) and Mark (Barbara); her daughters Pam Rothstein Bayer, Donna Rothstein and Dellalyn Rothstein Hogan (Austin); her grandchildren Paris, Nicholas, Daniel, Madison, and Aurora; and several nieces and nephews. She had also become a great aunt.

A private memorial service was held Dec. 15 followed by a graveside service at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Peter Berg and Cantor Deborah Hartman officiating. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 30309; Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, P.O. Box 13, Sedona, AZ 86339; or Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Please sign an online guestbook at www.edressler.com.