Elayne Rosen
March 4, 2026

ELAYNE ROSEN: Died at the age of 88 on March 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA after a long illness. Elayne was born on December 14, 1937 to Rose and Harry Rosen. She was the beloved sister of Roberta (Henry z"l) Recht and Myra z''l (Warren) Judd; beloved aunt of Jo Recht (Joe Mannino), Michael (Wendy) Recht, Kevin (Karin) Judd and Robert Judd; and beloved great-aunt of Brian (Sara) Recht, Hannah Recht (Jeremy Hoskins), Allison Recht, Carrie Mannino, Haylie Judd, and Melanie Judd. A lifelong Pittsburgher, Elayne was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and spent her life caring about and for others, both in her professional and personal life. She was a graduate of Chatham College with two master's degrees in social work, one from the University of Pittsburgh and one from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles. She first worked at the YWCA as program and outreach director, and part of her work involved introducing newly-arriving women and families to Pittsburgh, and helping them to get settled. She then moved to the United Jewish Federation (now the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh), where she was director of the Urban Affairs Foundation Committee and was instrumental in the founding of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition. Among other projects, she also headed a committee that brought injured Israeli veterans to Pittsburgh over several summers. A champion tennis player with a wicked backhand, Elayne played into her late 60's with a tight-knit group of friends, some of whom were featured alongside her on the court in a Teenie Harris photograph included in the Carnegie Museum of Art's collection. She was an award-winning cook and baker known for her honey cake, mandelbread, lemon chicken, and chicken soup, and she loved hosting beautiful, creative and delicious luncheons for her friends and family. She was a true lifelong learner and the social events chair of the Osher program at Carnegie Mellon, creating a warm and welcoming environment for all. Most of all, Elayne cared about people, and took care of her family and friends with a love and generosity of spirit that was unrivaled. She loved baking, gardening and flowers, cats, theater, figure skating (as an audience, not a performer), traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Anyone lucky enough to have known her is the better for it. Her absence leaves a huge hole in her family, and she will be deeply missed. 

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 1 PM. No Prior Visitation. Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. Donations in Elayne's memory may be made to Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh (JFCS) or to a charity of your choice. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Myra and Bobbie: I was so sorry to read of Elayne's death. I have known her since our teenage years. She was remarkable and talented as you and your family are. My deepest sympathy to everyone.