Fern Dena Rabinowitz

July 19, 1947 - June 25, 2022
Fern Dena Rabinowitz

Memorial Gifts & Donations


Fern Dena Rabinowitz, age 74 of Brunswick Forest Community in Leland passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022.

She was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 19, 1947 to Joseph Meyerson and Jean Kushman Meyerson.

When Fern was 3 years old she moved with her parents from Brooklyn NY to Clifton, NJ and attended school there. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut, and later earned her master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Rhode Island. Fern was a stay at home mom until her youngest child was around 10 years old. She then embarked on a career as a Middle School Librarian in Tolland, CT, retiring in 2008. In 2011, Fern and Ken moved to Brunswick Forest in Leland, NC following Ken’s retirement.

Fern was a loyal sports fan of the UCONN Huskies, LA Dodgers, NY Giants, and Boston Celtics. She enjoyed golf, pottery, flower gardening, photography, travel, the beach, Mah Jongg, Scrabble, reading, shopping, cooking (but not cleaning) and baking (but not eating) her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies. She enjoyed making new friends and of course spending time with old friends as well. She loved watching her favorite television shows including HGTV, Food Channel, MSNBC, and classic shows like the Waltons and Bonanza to name a few. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the holidays including the annual Thanksgiving Dinner with “The Chopped Liver Turkey”.

Fern was very competitive and hated to lose at anything, and as everyone knows she never left her home without having her hair and make-up done.

Fern was married to Kenneth Rabinowitz on March 17, 1968. They have two children, Joel Rabinowitz from Edwards, Colorado, and Karen Blanchard (Jonathan) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; along with three grandchildren, Justin Blanchard, Adam Blanchard, and Sydney Blanchard. She also has a special niece, Lauren Wodlinger and a loving sister-in-law, Phyllis Rabinowitz. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Susan Matisoff and Stephen Meyerson.

The family suggests donations may be made to Brunswick Family Assistance, 324-I Village Rd. Leland, NC 28451. Temple of Israel Ukrainian Support, 922 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401 or a charity of your choice.

Ken and family would like to thank all of the skilled and compassionate caregivers at Novant-NHRMC.

Funeral services are planned for 11 am Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at the Wilmington Funeral Chapel. Her burial will be at the Temple of Israel Cemetery in Wilmington, NC. The livestream of the service can be viewed by clicking HERE

Ken and family will be sitting Shiva at the home Wednesday evening through Friday. Address, 1107 Evangeline Dr., Leland, NC 28451.

Share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the “Tribute Wall”.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099.

Tribute Wall

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  • June 29, 2022
    Daniel Matisoff says:
    I have fond memories of spending a week each summer, Thanksgivings, and Passover Seders at Aunt Fern’s. Aunt Fern was an amazing cook and host. Vacations with her and Uncle Ken in Wilmington were always relaxing get-aways, where she and Uncle Ken had a systematic formula for assembling a convoy to the beach and entertaining our children. Aunt Fern had exceptional wit and a biting, sarcastic sense of humor. She was nearly unbeatable at Scrabble, and I loved hearing about her hiking and golf adventures. My mother Susan always looked up to her older sister Fern. Aunt Fern became a librarian and my mother followed suit. They had a special relationship – I recall my mom talking for hours on the phone to Fern, where they would share boisterous laughs. When my mom passed away, Aunt Fern told me that she had promised my mom to be a surrogate parent if anything should have happened. Aunt Fern was the glue of the Meyerson family and kept everyone connected. I am saddened that I can’t be at the funeral, but my thoughts are with the family and those whose lives were brightened by Aunt Fern’s positive energy and spirit.

  • June 29, 2022
    Alyse (Barnas) Castonguay says:
    I remember listening to Fern share read alouds with her students when she was a librarian. She always got into the roles of characters! Walking as a team every October Fern was in Tolland, she helped build a caring community. May her memory be a blessing.

  • June 29, 2022
    Nancy Rosenzweig says:
    I am so sorry to hear about Fern's passing. I had the pleasure of working with her at TMS from October 2000 until her retirement and was part of her "lunch bunch".

  • June 28, 2022
    Diane Donofrio says:
    Dear Ken and family, I was so sorry to hear about Fern’s passing. I will be thinking of you during this very sad time. Diane Richards Donofrio

  • June 28, 2022
    Margaret Whitney says:
    I am very saddened about Fern's passing away. She was my Mah Jong partner, neighbor, New Year's Eve party goer and good friend. We enjoyed parties and concerts with her and Kenny and other good friends. Most of all I will miss my "little one".