Obituary of Selma Riskin (1928 – 2021) – Resident of Carmichael, CA
Selma mae riskin
May 22, 1928 – November 2, 2021
Resident of Carmichael, California
Daughter of Jacob Israel Greenstein and Annie Greenstein (née Monroe). Selma was born in Pinole, where she spent her formative years, before moving with her parents and sister, Beatrice (Bea), to San Mateo. There she attended the local community college and met her future husband, Harold, at an engagement party of their respective cousins in 1947. Harold had recently returned from four years in the military during World War II. and had started working in his family’s jewelry business, The Gem Shop, in downtown Oakland. They married in 1948 and settled in Piedmont where they raised their family.
A resident of Piedmont for over 50 years, Selma was a housewife and very active in children’s schools and extracurricular activities. She also worked in the Gem Shop. As the children grew older, she became more involved in social and civic activities, including knitting, pottery, reading and gardening clubs, tai chi, women in Rotary. (“Ro-Anns”), and as a member of the Sinai Temple and for decades. long rower on Lake Merritt in the Oakland Women’s Rowing Club. Selma had a delicious gift for chatter, making strangers (in restaurants, shops, or in line) feel like old friends. Over the years, through her wide range of activities, she made many dear friends, friends who have enriched her life so much and for whom she was so grateful.
Selma was a wonderful cook and pastry chef who loved to prepare sumptuous meals for her friends and family. Known especially for her mouth-watering fudge, she rarely showed up at a gathering of family or friends, be it for a birthday, anniversary or any other festive or holiday event, without a batch of her chocolate treats on hand.
Selma, who has always loved family reunions, is survived by her children: Marcus Darrell Riskin (Cristy) of Danville, Kathy Riskin Orihuela (Rodolfo) of Sacramento and Steven Monroe Riskin (Claudine) of Chevy Chase, Md .; grandchildren — Sean (Monica), Cheri, Daniel, Joel, Carla Knabke (Brent), Jeffrey and Tim; and great-grandchildren — Myles, Dylan, William and Miela. Selma was predeceased by her 65-year-old husband Harold, sister Bea Simon and grandson Ryan.
Selma cared deeply for the environment and appreciated the cultural and natural beauty of the area, especially Lake Merritt and its surroundings. Contributions to his memory can be made to local museums or organizations working for the protection of the environment.
May 22, 1928 – November 2, 2021
Resident of Carmichael, California
Daughter of Jacob Israel Greenstein and Annie Greenstein (née Monroe). Selma was born in Pinole, where she spent her formative years, before moving with her parents and sister, Beatrice (Bea), to San Mateo. There she attended the local community college and met her future husband, Harold, at an engagement party of their respective cousins in 1947. Harold had recently returned from four years in the military during World War II. and had started working in his family’s jewelry business, The Gem Shop, in downtown Oakland. They married in 1948 and settled in Piedmont where they raised their family.
A resident of Piedmont for over 50 years, Selma was a housewife and very active in children’s schools and extracurricular activities. She also worked in the Gem Shop. As the children grew older, she became more involved in social and civic activities, including knitting, pottery, reading and gardening clubs, tai chi, women in Rotary. (“Ro-Anns”), and as a member of the Sinai Temple and for decades. long rower on Lake Merritt in the Oakland Women’s Rowing Club. Selma had a delicious gift for chatter, making strangers (in restaurants, shops, or in line) feel like old friends. Over the years, through her wide range of activities, she made many dear friends, friends who have enriched her life so much and for whom she was so grateful.
Selma was a wonderful cook and pastry chef who loved to prepare sumptuous meals for her friends and family. Known especially for her mouth-watering fudge, she rarely showed up at a gathering of family or friends, be it for a birthday, anniversary or any other festive or holiday event, without a batch of her chocolate treats on hand.
Selma, who has always loved family reunions, is survived by her children: Marcus Darrell Riskin (Cristy) of Danville, Kathy Riskin Orihuela (Rodolfo) of Sacramento and Steven Monroe Riskin (Claudine) of Chevy Chase, Md .; grandchildren — Sean (Monica), Cheri, Daniel, Joel, Carla Knabke (Brent), Jeffrey and Tim; and great-grandchildren — Myles, Dylan, William and Miela. Selma was predeceased by her 65-year-old husband Harold, sister Bea Simon and grandson Ryan.
Selma cared deeply for the environment and appreciated the cultural and natural beauty of the area, especially Lake Merritt and its surroundings. Contributions to his memory can be made to local museums or organizations working for the protection of the environment.
See the Selma Mae Riskin online memorial
Published by East Bay Times on December 10, 2021.