Ridgefield resident & advocate for the disabled, Toby Rosenstein, has died

Toby Rosenstein passed away peacefully on December 26th. She was almost 92 years young at the time of her passing. She was the only daughter of David and Rose Auerbach who were Russian and Jewish immigrants to the United States. She was educated in the Brooklyn High School of Music and Arts, later to achieve a bachelor’s degree at New York University.

Toby lived for 53 years with her husband, Jack in Eastchester, NY where she raised 3 daughters, Robin, Barbara and Ronni. After Jack passed away, she moved to Ridgefield, with which she had fallen in love during many previous visits to see Ronni and her family. Toby lived happily in town at Casagmo Condominiums for fifteen years, during which she frequented many local shops and befriended many of her neighbors.

Toby leaves behind her 3 daughters and their spouses—Robin and Robert Ring, Barbara and Dan Persons, and Ronni Rosenstein—and 5 grandsons and their families: Erik and Stefanie Steirer, Greg Steirer and Keith Witham, and Sean O’Keefe, Jason and Matt Colville. She also has two great-granddaughters (Bella and Grace Steirer).

Toby believed deeply in the virtues of equality, kindness, and respect for all individuals regardless of sex, race, or creed. She was representative and spokesperson for the community of disabled individuals, and for her many efforts on their behalf was formally designated Westchester County Advocate for Individuals with Disabilities. She was a self-taught grant-writer and raised funds to put an accessibility ramp and elevator in her local library and curb cuts- this was years before this was done. Something we all take for granted today. She also formulated and shepherded through Congress a state law that ensured infants with congenital orthopedic disabilities a healthier future by mandating an early medical intervention/screening protocol.

Toby was a strong supporter of the arts. She was raised in Brooklyn and had a lifelong affinity to Manhattan. She often brought her daughters, grandchildren and nieces and nephews to see Broadway shows and museums. She was also professionally skilled in knitting and sewing. She knitted sweaters patterned after those in Saks and Neiman Marcus for her children and grandchildren throughout the years for many special occasions.

She was a kind and loving wife, parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, and friend. Those lucky enough to know her always appreciated her giving nature. She will be sorely missed. The family is having a private burial service out of state. They are sitting Shiva Tuesday the 2nd and Thursday the 4th from 2- 4pm and 6-8pm at Ronni’s home.

R
Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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