Rebeca Reiter Frankel

June 13, 2025, 5:08 pm 0 Edit

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FRANKEL: Rebeca Reiter Frankel, passed away at the age of 94 on June 13, 2025. She will be remembered by her friends and family as a glamorous force of a woman who loved art and could draw you into a story. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert Frankel, with whom she shared 64 years of marriage. Born in Lima, Peru, on June 13, 1931, Rebeca was the youngest of four children and the only one born in Peru. Her siblings — the late Mina Roitman, Naftali Reiter, and Yeti Weisselberg — were born in Ukraine to their parents, the late Moiyes and Henica Reiter. Rebeca came to the United States at age 16, attending Cedar Crest College for a year before transferring to Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) to study acting. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she built an impressive résumé of leading roles on stage. During her senior year, she met Robert, the love of her life, and they married just three months later. Rebeca taught Spanish at The Ellis School and, after raising her children, became a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art. She poured hours into studying the works in upcoming shows, and it showed. Her deep knowledge and theatrical flair brought the galleries to life for countless visitors. Her love of art and its history was a shared passion with Robert, who served on the museum’s board. Together, they were tireless advocates for expanding access to the arts and enriching Pittsburgh’s cultural landscape. Rebeca is survived by her children Dan (Debbie) and Janina (Rafi), her grandchildren Aaron, Erica and Mark Frankel, and her step-grandchildren Dana (Yuval) and Hagia (Tomer). She was also a step great-grandmother to Yonathan and Eli. Her spirit lives on in the family she cherished, the cultural institutions she supported and the city she so deeply loved. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. Visitation one hour prior to service (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.). Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions in Rebeca’s memory may be made to the Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. schugar.com PJC