Ronnye Jai Shapiro, 79 of Woodstock, NY passed away on August 12th, 2022 at home with her loving husband Alan by her side. Ronnye was born in the Bronx as Rosalind Engelman on August 7th, 1943. At the age of 18, she met the love of her life and married Alan within a few months. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Ronnye spent a large portion of her life in Fair Lawn, NJ. In the 1970’s, she founded and was President of the Moped Owner’s Association of America. She worked with the Highway Safety Council to write the Moped Owner’s manual and the test for licensing. Ronnye made a difference in hundreds of children’s lives by starting a pre school program at Temple Beth Shalom and later at the Fair Lawn Community School. In the 1980’s, she became the Owner and Director of Ms. Ronnye’s Kiddie Garden in Fair Lawn. Being an artist and director, the school was focused around the arts, it was also based on lots of love, laughter, music and fun.
In the early 1990’s, Ronnye and Alan moved to Woodstock, NY. Ronnye Jai’s true love was in her art studio. She was an extremely talented artist and poet with much of her work based on social issues and thought provoking topics. Her art has been seen throughout the world. She was even recognized by Nelson Mandela. Her art hangs in numerous homes, buildings and on CD album covers throughout the world. One of the highlights of her career was being chosen to represent the U.S. as an artist at the Biennale in Florence, Italy in 2001. She was a true activist who fought for what she believed in to make this world a better place.
Ronnye leaves behind her soulmate and loving husband Alan, her son Brian and daughter Sari-Lynne whom she loved both so dearly, her son in law Sean who was another son to her and her beautiful grandchildren, Mikaela Rose and Kelsea Rayne. The girls brought her so much happiness. Her children and grandchildren were a true source of so much joy for her. Ronnye will be deeply missed and always loved.
She will be laid to rest at the Woodstock Artist’s Cemetery in a private service. The family will have a celebration of her life with friends and family at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Hudson Valley Hospice in Ronnye’s memory. Arrangements are under the direction of the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, Inc., corner of John & Lafayette Sts., Saugerties.
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