Rochelle Claire Landis
LANDIS: Rochelle Claire Landis was the wife of Thomas (Red) Whittington. She was predeceased by her parents, Mildred and Paul Smoller, and brother, Sanford (Sandy). Rochelle and her mother were very close, and Rochelle never stopped missing and mourning her mother after her death. Rochelle found the love of her life in Red Whittington. In Hollywood parlance, they had a “meet cute” at Carnegie Hall in Oakland during a concert intermission, when she dropped her program and Red picked it up for her. She then asked if he was familiar with the Barber violin concerto and invited him to sit with her. This was the beginning of a long partnership. Through the years, Rochelle and Red shared their love of music and attended many concerts. It is fitting that their relationship began at one — and that days before Rochelle’s death, Red arranged to have two violinists come and play for her at home. In part, this loving gesture acknowledged that Rochelle had been first chair violin at Allderdice High School. A lifetime resident of Squirrel Hill, Rochelle earned an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Her graduate program was part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society effort. In exchange for her tuition, she taught in underserved areas. This included a Hill District school for pregnant students and the Holmes School (formerly in South Oakland), where students called her and two other young teachers the “Mod Squad.” (And indeed, Rochelle was always hip and stylish.) She spent most of her career teaching English at Peabody High School, where she also directed and choreographed student performances. She had a lifelong passion for dance as well as music. The concerns that were at the core of Rochelle’s being were animal rights and animal welfare. In fact, Rochelle asked that these words appear on her headstone: Remember the pain of living things. For decades, Rochelle worked tirelessly to relieve the animals’ pain. She was active in many local animal rights and animal welfare organizations. She stood up for all animals, including racing greyhounds who were used for sport and greed, and pigeons who were victims of a cruel annual shooting event. She was a longtime vegetarian who would not support the horrific practices of factory farms. She made her home a haven for countless dogs and cats. All were dear, but none so dear as greyhound siblings Normy and Nova, whom she so greatly missed after their deaths. Rochelle leaves behind two beloved felines, Gracie and Tovah. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Friday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. Visitation one hour prior (8 a.m.-9 a.m.). Burial will be private. Donations may be made to animal charities, such as Humane Animal Rescue Pittsburgh, Animal Care and Welfare Pittsburgh, and Going Home Greyhounds Wexford. schugar.com PJC
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