Rochelle (Reznik) Blumenfeld
January 25, 2025
Visitation Information
January 28 2025 - 10:00 am
Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc, 5509 Centre Avenue, (Shadyside) Pittsburgh 15232
Funeral Information
January 28 2025 - 11:00 am
Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Avenue, (Shadyside) Pittsburgh 15232
ROCHELLE (REZNIK) BLUMENFELD: Prominent Pittsburgh artist, died peacefully at age 88 at her home in Shadyside on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
A life-long Pittsburgher, Shelley was born in 1936 in the city's Hill District, to Rose and Lawrence Reznik and eventually moved to the East End with her parents, her younger brother Alan (wife Mimi) and her maternal grandfather, Harry Fairman. Fairman himself was an artisan and encouraged her to start painting and inspired her long career. Zadie Fairman insisted that she always have her own studio so she could pursue her talent.
When Shelley was in fifth grade, she began taking art classes at the Carnegie Museum's Tam O'Shanter program. In high school, she took advanced art classes in painting at Carnegie Tech. After graduation from Peabody High School, she studied painting and design at Carnegie Tech.
She married Irving Blumenfeld in 1955 and moved to Stanton Heights where their children Harold (wife Sheryl Riddle), Beth and Louis (wife Irina) were born. She began private classes with renowned artist Samuel Rosenberg at the YMWHA where she was one of his youngest students. Rosenberg introduced her to the world of abstract art. She painted on large canvases, enjoying the physicality of painting. Her works encompassed motion, space and light. She was inspired by life around her to reflect and make statements in her paintings. Blumenfeld used bold colors, light, and movement in her art to express herself. She was inspired by the natural shapes of the world around her. The artist stated, "Life continually alters its course on an unknown journey, and coping is not always easy".
Her paint-splattered third floor studio in her home in Highland Park, was the favorite space for her grandchildren, including Harold and Cheryl Blumenfeld's children Brandon (wife Cassandra Malis), Justin and Morgan (husband Ryan Vibbert), and Louis and Irina's children, Sofia and Loren Rose of Orlando, Florida. G-G to Finn, Eli, Ollie, Ben, Adam, Eliza and Margot. Also survived by nieces, Cookie Elbling and Amy Reznik (Julie and nephew Robert (Lizet) Reznik.
Shelley was not only the consummate artist, but also, the consummate hostess and friend. Her home was the center of family life, love, parties and holiday celebrations. One of Shelley's favorite hobbies was collecting: memorabilia, religious objects, tea strainers, and objet d'art. Her grandchildren's curiosity about her many family collections inspired her to start a series of more realistic Hill District paintings, so she could share her childhood memories of that diverse immigrant neighborhood with generations to come, including great grandchildren, Eliza Rose Blumenfeld and Margot Elyse Vibbert.
Blumenfeld's paintings have been exhibited in numerous public and private collections, including the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg. Her work has been included in the Bicentennial Exhibit of "American Painters in Paris" in Paris, France, the Copley Society of Art in Boston, Dunfermline Fife in Scotland. Her work has also been included in the Heinz History Center's partnership with the Master Visual Artists Project recognizing the lifelong achievements of influential Southwestern Pennsylvania artists.
Shelley's family would like to thank the loving and dedicated caregivers who helped Shelley. Shawntee, Lamiya, Breanna, Dara, Tara, Lori, and Maxine and Mandy Amedysis Hospice.
Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 11 AM. Visitation one hour prior to service (10 AM - 11 AM). Interment B'Nai Israel Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Shalom, 5915 Beacon Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter-Pittsburgh Office, 2835 E. Carson Street, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 or a charity of donor's choice. www.schugar.com
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I'm so sorry to read about Rochelle's passing. She and I connected a few years ago as I was doing ancestry research and discovered as a child, she knew my great grandparents. She was a very talented artist. May her memory be a blessing.
By Steve Zeiden - January 30, 2025
To Harold and family,
Our hearts and prayers are with you at this time. Rochelle brought light into the world through
her paintings . May your cherished memories serve to bring you comfort.
May her memory be a blessing.
By Simone and Dan Rubin - January 30, 2025
I just read about Shelly we have been friends since the lst Grade at Rogers School. I am so sorry that I did not get a chance to say Good by My Deepest Condolences to Shelly's Family
By Peshie and Stanton Elias - January 29, 2025
Sorry to hear of Shelly\'s passing when I lived in Pittsburgh we had a lot of good times with her and the rest of our friends. We spent several short vacations together.
By Norman Sherran - January 28, 2025
Harold and family , i heard the news this evening and have a flood of Memories that start on Stanton Court and end In Highland park where the amazingly talented and demure HAROLDS MOM, created Light from dark and joy from sorrow with her paint and her keen artistic machinations ,from your Dragon halloween costume to her whimsical and soulful depictions of 20th century early life in the Hill District ,your mom gave the world beauty, soul and original canvas expressions that made your home always Bright and spiritual especially at Friday night dinner.
Harold ,there will never be another one like your mom, sorrow overwhelms but your moms grace ,energy and talent leaves the world her greatest art HAROLD ,LOU AND BETH ...
By FRANKIE LINET - January 28, 2025
I belonged to B’nai Israel in the 1970s and knew the Reznik family.
The whole family was so very talented.
Shelly was an inspiration.
May her memory be for a blessing.
My sincere sympathies.
By Sharyn Stein - January 27, 2025
Beth , louis & harold , i am sending my deepest condolences to your entire family during this hard & trying time. Mrs.shelley was very special to me. I have only known her for a year but it felt like 10. The love she showed her family , friend’s & caregiver’s was unmatched ! I love yin’s & thank you for welcoming me into the blumenfeld family & showing me nothing but love. Goodluck getting rid of me , i will see yin’s at passover in a few months lol. Job well done mrs.shelley now you can rest ❤️
By Shawntee jackson - January 27, 2025
I grew up living on the same street with Shelly, Irv and their kids. But my parents knew Irv and Shelly for many years from their youth. As an adult, I would often see Shelly out and about. She always greeted me with a warm smile and big hug.
Sending my love to everyone. Her memory is a blessing.
By Joan Weiss Stein - January 27, 2025
My deepest condolences for your loss. Louis and I went to school together and I spent time with his family. Shelly was such a wonderful and incredibly kind person. Her art will continue reach many. May you know that we are all thinking of you. Sending love, Nina
By Nina Rosen Padolf - January 27, 2025
I’m so sorry for your loss. Rochelle was such a special person who touched the lives of everyone around her. May you find comfort and strength in the memories you shared together. She was an incredible person who lived a truly remarkable life. I feel so honored to have known her. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
By Valentina Modne-Birman - January 26, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother and Grandmother. My heart goes out to you and your family during this tough time. May you find comfort in the cherished memories you have with her, and may her love and legacy continue to live on in your heart. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love always,
Kara and Adam McCall
By Kara and Adam McCall - January 26, 2025