Obituary of Yvonne Rappaport

Yvonne K. Rappaport, 93, died peacefully at her home in Fairfax, VA, surrounded by family on November 21, 2020. Yvonne was born in Crestline, OH to Florence and Paul T. Kindinger. She earned bachelor’s degrees (summa cum laude) in Psychology and in Speech from Northwestern University. From Virginia Tech, she earned a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling, and a Doctor of Education in Adult and Continuing Education.

Throughout her career and personal life, Yvonne inspired and mentored many students and professionals. She spearheaded programs and lectured nationally and internationally about the importance of lifelong learning. Among the programs Yvonne developed for universities, businesses, and government agencies was the first university program in Virginia designed for women entering or returning to education or careers. In 1992 Yvonne retired as director for the UVA Northern Virginia Center. For her “lasting impressions on students, institutions, and organizations,” Yvonne was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame.

With her endless energy and the support of her husband Norman, Yvonne earned her advanced degrees while working full time, supporting her children in their schools (baking cupcakes for holiday parties, chaperoning, etc.), and attending recitals, plays, and extracurricular activities. In retirement, she enjoyed similar activities with grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to family and career, Yvonne found time to direct plays (drawing on her early professional experience in radio and television) for Fairfax Community Theatre, GMU’s Agora Society, and Bethel United Church of Christ. At Bethel, she also taught Sunday school, served as congregation president, and was an elder.

Yvonne was an avid reader and traveler (she and her husband traveled for work and pleasure throughout six continents), and along with her family attended plays, ballets, concerts, and baseball games. She and her husband Norman shared a tenacity in their approach to life, their support of others, and their unconditional love for one another. Yvonne showed care, concern, and consideration for the needs and feelings of others – enabling her to connect with people of many generations, cultures, and interests.

Yvonne is predeceased by her husband of more than 50 years, Norman, by her only sibling, Paul, and by her son-in-law, Martin Malin. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Michael (Nicole), Laura, Hilary, Stephen, and Jocelyn (Clarence); grandchildren, Pauline (Johnathan), Virgile (Sterling), Jacob, Nathan, Clarence (Stephanie), and Emily (Matt); great grandchildren, Kaylee, Andrew, Madison, Lexington, Albanie Yvonne, Malachi, Simon, and Coen; sister-in-law Phyllis Linker; many nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and dear friends and colleagues. Her body will be interred alongside her husband’s at Arlington National Cemetery.