Riva Gotlib

Riva Gotlib, 94, died February 20, 2023. She was born on February 1, 1929 in Bath Maine, the daughter of Solomon Greenblatt and Goldie (Kietsky) Greenblatt. She graduated from Morse High School as class valedictorian in 1946. She attended Gorham State Teachers College for two years and transferred to the University of Maine at Orono where she received a B.S. in Secondary Education. She majored in English, with a minor in theatre. During high school and college, she was active in the orchestra and theatre. After graduation she lived in New York City, working for a women’s magazine and enjoying the cultural life of the city.

Riva met her first husband, Morton Berman, while teaching high school English in Woodland, Maine. They married in June 1952 and settled in Eastport, where he worked in the family business. During her time in Eastport, she served on the board of trustees of Peavy Memorial Library, was a member of the Eastern Star and Literary Round Table and volunteered with the Girl Scouts.

The family moved to Bangor in 1968. During her early years in Bangor, Riva was a volunteer for the America Cancer Society and Literacy Volunteers of America. She held short term positions with the Census Bureau and the Bangor Center Promotion Committee. During the 1970’s she worked as a freelance writer for the Portland Press Herald and also wrote a weekly column, “Around Bangor Town”, for the Maine Sunday Telegram. Riva was widowed at the age of 49 when Morton Berman died in 1978. They had been married for 26 years.

Riva joined the staff of the Bangor Daily News in 1982, after working as a freelance writer for the paper for several years. She was a copywriter for the city page and remained in this position until her retirement in 1991. After being widowed for ten years, she married Philip Gotlib of Bangor in 1988. Following her retirement, she and Phil alternated time between Bangor and Florida, eventually moving to Delray Beach. Phil died in June 2008, a month prior to their 20th anniversary. After Phil’s death Riva moved back East, first to Andover, Massachusetts for a few years and then to her final residence at Dirigo Pines in Orono.

Riva had a lifelong interest in the arts. She enjoyed attending concerts, art exhibits and plays, and in her later years took advantage of the many cultural events offered by the University of Maine in Orono. She was an avid reader and continued to do her daily crossword puzzle well into her 90’s. She excelled at Scrabble. During her years at Dirigo Pines, she took classes through Senior College and enjoyed participating in play readings with fellow residents.

Riva is survived by her children Sheila Berman (Bob Minton) of Andover, Massachusetts, Gail Stone (Tommy) of Whitehouse, Texas, and David Berman of Bangor, Maine, as well as grandchildren Aaron Minton, Jennifer Shabaan and Heather Stone, great-grandchildren Aaliyah and Ibrahim Shaban, and brother Owen Greenblatt of Alexandria, Virginia. She was predeceased by brothers Isear and Abraham Greenblatt and sisters Ada Greenblatt, Bessie Singer and Sophie Sorgen.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Dirigo Pines and the staff of Genvita Hospice for their care and support during Riva’s final days.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 Tuesday February 21, 2023 at the Jewish Funeral Chapel, Center St., Bangor. Followed by burial at Beth Irael Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Riva’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice,
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingSmith.com.