Rea Frank, 92, Gave Her Time to Nonprofit Groups

Rea Frank of Vineyard Haven died Monday, May 30 at the Henrietta Brewer House. She was 92 years old. She was the sister of Selma Frank of Vineyard Haven, where they shared a home. She was predeceased by her brother, Gilbert Frank, who died last November.

Rea was born in Philadelphia on March 13, 1913, the daughter of Jacob Frank and Rose Freedgood, whose parents had immigrated to the United States from Latvia.

Rea was short in stature, but was charismatic and vivacious and left a big impression. She worked for many nonprofit organizations as a public relations officer, member recruiter and fund-raiser. She helped form and served as president of the Community Solar Greenhouse in Oak Bluffs when she first arrived to Martha's Vineyard and had been involved until her illness.

She was an elementary school teacher in Philadelphia for 10 years before she found her calling by using her talents for other purposes. She moved to Washington, D.C. to organize an umbrella organization for nonprofit charitable fund-raising. In New York city, she helped raise money for the Friends of Hagannah which supported the establishment of Israel in 1948. She went on to recruiting members and funds for the Friends of the Hebrew University.

She returned to Philadelphia to work at the Southeast Pennsylvania Mental Health Association in public relations and for the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic.

Rea is survived by her sister and her nephew, Daniel Frank and his wife, Doris Clerc of Montreal; her niece Janet Gyatso and her husband, Charlie Hallissey of Cambridge; her sister in law Doris Frank of Boston; two great-nieces, Johanna Frank and Zoe Frank and two great-nephews, Jeremy Frank and Michael Frank; and one great-great nephew, Ben Troth and two great-great nieces, Jillian Troth and Allison Troth. She will be remembered as a friend and for her support.

A graveside service was held in the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Cemetery in Vineyard Haven on Thursday, June 2. Donations may be made in her memory to the Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Martha's Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Community Solar Greenhouse, P.O. Box 2048, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.