Reva L. Subar

DATELINE: PROVIDENCE

Reva L. Subar (nee Gorenstein), 79, of Providence, RI, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 29, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Maryland surrounded by her son and daughter.  She was the beloved wife of the late Cantor Natan Subar and then the late Harold Isserlis; loving mother of Ilana and Yossi Subar; dear mother-in-law of Deena Abel Subar; adoring grandmother of Natan and Noam Subar. She is also survived by her sister Libby Gillman and brother Burt Gorenstein.

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Reva was the daughter of the late Joseph and Katie Gorenstein.  She moved to Montreal after university, and it was in Montreal where she was introduced to Israeli-born Natan Subar, with whom she fell in love and married in 1969.  Shortly thereafter they moved to Warwick, RI, where Natan served as the Cantor of Temple Am David.  After he fell ill, the family moved to Jerusalem, Israel in 1981 where he passed away.  Reva returned to RI and raised her two children in Providence, while commuting to Massachusetts for work in the healthcare field as a cytologist.  In 1997, Reva was blessed to get remarried to Harold Isserlis of Fall River, MA with whom she shared 15 happy years.  After retiring from her job at Harvard Vanguard in Boston, she spent a handful of winters down in Delray Beach, Florida, where she enjoyed the warm weather, meeting new friends, and staying active.

There was nothing more valuable to Reva than her family.  In particular, she cherished the time she spent with her two grandsons from Brooklyn, NY, whether it was watching them play soccer or practice piano; or hearing about their latest academic achievements in both secular and Judaic studies.  Most recently, she received a great deal of nachas listening to her oldest grandson Natan prepare for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah in September.  She will be remembered as a loving, caring, energetic, and resilient woman.

Funeral services at Swan Point Cemetery in RI will be private.  Contributions in her memory may be made to her synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906; or Ben Gurion University of the Negev, ℅ AABGU, 1001 Avenue of the Americas, 19th Floor, NY, NY 10018.

9 Comments

  1. Libby Gillman
    Jun 30, 2020

    My heart is broken by the loss of my only sister. I will miss her every day of the rest of my life. I loved her dearly.

  2. Joanna Cohen
    Jun 30, 2020

    My husband and I are very sad to hear of Reva’s passing. She had more energy and spunk than most people and will be missed. Our hearts go out to Reva’s family whom she loved very much.

    Joanna Cohen & Dermot Morrisroe

  3. Faith Lifshen
    Jun 30, 2020

    Dear Subar Family, I was so shocked and very saddened to hear about Reva’s passing. When my husband, Leonard, who was Reva’s cousin, introduced me to Reva and Natan, I knew right from the beginning that I liked them both very much. I was instant their family too. Distance kept us from seeing one another often but whenever there were family simchas, we all came together and had such wonderful times.
    She will be missed, I’m sure. My deepest condolences to the entire family.
    Faith Lifshen

  4. Joanna Therway
    Jun 30, 2020

    My dear friend Ilana,
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. When we met in Israel, I recall your stories of your mom and I know how close you were. Your bond is eternal and she is always with you. I am sending you all my love dear friend. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
    Love,
    Joanna

  5. Irma Bolanos
    Jul 1, 2020

    Dear Ilana, I`m very sorry for you loss, Your Mother our friend of Silvia an me, I missed Reva for ever, Our deepest condolences to your family and especial to you!

  6. Allan & Joanie Reichson
    Jul 2, 2020

    Dear Ilana and Yossi,
    We are so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing.
    We have fond memories of times spent together when your Mom was visiting Yossi, while in school in Montreal.
    Never easy to say good-bye to a parent, but cherish all the wonderful memories that you all have.
    Your Mom was very fortunate to have such a wonderful caring family.
    Our sincerest condolences.

  7. Willa
    Jul 2, 2020

    Reva was something else.

  8. Gail A Ruggieri
    Jul 2, 2020

    Very sorry to hear of Reba’s passing. Reba came to my Water Aerobic classes at LA Fitness in Providence. I remember her enthusiasm and pizzazz in all she believed in….we had some great conversations on all subjects! Again I’m truly sorry for your loss.

  9. Cheryl Horowitz Adessi
    Jul 3, 2020

    Ilana and Yossi, I am terribly saddened to learn of the death of your mother. She was such a wonderful woman. May her memory be a blessing.

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