What a beautiful and heartfelt tribute was paid to longtime and well-known Winthrop resident and former teacher Rona Mael at funeral services held at Temple Tifereth Israel. The eulogies delivered by her grandchildren and her sons, radio talk show host Norman Mael and Town Councilor Craig Mael, were extraordinary in capturing the essence and warmth of this grand lady of Winthrop. Her fine work as the chairperson of the Winthrop Scholarship Fund was duly noted and her ability to light up any room she entered was praised. The large turnout at the services underlined all the positive things she has done for our town and its people and for her former students and the positive influence she had on her grandchildren, whom she loved so dearly and kept in touch with on a regular basis.
We loved the story about how one of her grandsons took an earlier flight from California just so he could arrive in time for one of Rona’s Friday night family dinners.
Craig Mael really rose to the occasion with his eloquence and his presiding over the services and we can only imagine how proud his mother would have been of his brilliance in front of such a large gathering of family and friends and all those were touched by Rona’s personality and warmth.
Winthrop has lost a great lady who made her presence felt in so many important ways in Winthrop. We know we join with all of our fellow long-time residents in offering our condolences to the Mael family.