Rhea Clair Bolasny Seagull, beloved mother and admired leader

1942 - 2020

Memorial service was held online Sunday, July 26 at 2pm ET. Materials from the service are now available at the link above. Also, scroll down to see some of Rhea’s favorite charities where you can make a donation(s) in lieu of flowers.

Photo Book

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Rhea B. Seagull, 78, died Thursday, March 26, 2020 in her winter home in Naples, Fla. A New Jersey resident since 1979, Rhea lived 15 years in Montclair and the past 24 years in West Orange.

Rhea worked in public affairs and communications throughout her career.  As a writer-researcher at WMAL TV in Washington DC, she wrote a TV documentary on the C&O Canal which won a local Emmy Award, one of two she received in under three years at WMAL. Rhea continued as a newswriter-reporter at an NBC News Chicago affiliate and then in public relations at Swarthmore College outside Philadelphia. In New Jersey, Rhea worked in public relations for Montclair State University, Wiss & Co. (accounting firm), and the Newark Arts Council. She also worked for Child Assault Prevention (CAP) for years, leading workshops in schools to keep children safe from bullies, strangers, and molesters.

Always enjoying Jewish cultural activities, Rhea was an early leader in the Secular Humanistic Judaism movement, serving almost twenty years as President, then Principal of the Jewish Cultural School and Society, formerly Suburban Jewish School. After earning the designation of Madrikha by the International Institute of Secular Humanistic Judaism, she led events in New Jersey and Florida while officiating weddings, funerals, and baby-namings up and down the East Coast, specializing in customized wedding rituals for interfaith marriages.

Rhea was a generous person, giving to charities whose causes range from animals to Jewish culture to children. She was lovingly involved in her children and grandchildren's lives, supporting and enriching their endeavors as she did for others in the community during illness.

 
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Rhea is survived by her brother, Sheldon Bolasny and his wife Paola of Bethesda, Md.; daughter, Fanya Seagull and her husband Mark Goldberg and children Celia and Shawn of Virginia Beach; and her son, Amon Bolasny Seagull and his wife MyLinh, of McKinney, Texas, and their sons Tristen and Justin. Rhea is also remembered by nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins as a devoted keeper of the extended family.

As mentioned above, Rhea was generous and supported over 80 charities whose causes range over animal welfare, poverty relief, arts and culture, personal liberties, environmental sustainability, healthcare, consumer advocacy, and numerous cultural and secular Jewish organizations. The family asks that instead of flowers or food, people honor Rhea's memory with gifts sent to one of three charities she cared deeply about.

  • The Yiddish Theater Folksbiene: In the notes type "in memory of Rhea Seagull."

  • Naples Botanical Garden: Type "in memory of Rhea Seagull" in the order notes. Also, checks may be written out to Naples Botanical Garden with a note "in memory of Rhea Seagull" and mailed to the Garden at 4820 Bayshore Dr., Naples, FL 34112.

  • Alley Cat Allies: Enter “Rhea” as the honoree. There is no need to indicate a party to notify. Gifts can also be made by phone at 866-309-6207 or by mail to 7920 Norfolk Ave Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814.