Rhoda Margot Gensler's Obituary
Rhoda Margot Gensler of Potomac Falls, VA died peacefully of myasthenia gravis at the Johnson Center at Falcons Landing on August 19, 2015. She was 85 years old.
She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Dr. Herman H. Gensler. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Gensler and her husband Martin Kaplan, her son, Matthew Gensler and his wife Marjorie, six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Rhoda was born on February 11, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY to Flora (Schneiderman) and Hyman Collisner. She graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School in 1946 and from Barnard College in 1949. Rhoda worked as a librarian in New York City and as Administrative Director of the Ethiopian Consulate. She stopped working to support her husband during his career in the Army and to raise her family.
Rhoda was actively engaged in public service in Howard County, MD. She was the founder and President of the Columbia Democratic Club in 1968. During the 1970’s to mid-1980’s, Rhoda was on the Executive Board of the Howard County Human Relations Council, a member of the Howard County Bicentennial Commission, and on the executive boards of the Howard County Community Hospital and Lutheran Hospital. She was elected to the Maryland Democratic State Central Committee in 1977.
Rhoda later moved to Potomac, MD where she served as an officer in a number or organizations including, the Potomac Newcomers Club, the Potomac Echoes, The Women’s Club of Potomac, and the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee.
A graveside funeral is scheduled on Wednesday, October 7 at 2:00 PM at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Myesthenia Gravis Foundation or the Southern Poverty Law Center.
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