1946 - 2026

Rona Lynn Axelrod Ginsberg - a true Brooklynite in the spirit of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Barbra Streisand, mother of two, grandmother to three, book devourer, Pilates devotee, world traveler, master of rhyme, Queen Bee, lifelong Broadway baby, a fierce feminist who lived her life fiercely - passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16th, surrounded by her loving family.

Of all the things that brought her joy, nothing made her happier than the cacophony of voices around the family table.

Rona was a longtime resident of Dunwoody, Georgia and Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Born on April 12, 1946, in Brooklyn, NY to Lewis and Minna Axelrod, Rona's early years were spent in Crown Heights and Sheepshead Bay.  She also spent a good deal of time in Manhattan with one of her aunt’s who was an angel investor in Broadway productions and took her niece to shows, instilling a lifelong passion. She obtained a BA from Hunter College and an MA from Purdue University. 

Rona Ginsberg was longtime managing editor for the Journal of Operations Research, as well as director of public communications for the Georgia Tech School of Mechanical Engineering. She was known for her attention to detail, along with her creative designs for popular school T-Shirts. She retired in 2009 and split her time in Dunwoody, Hilton Head, and traveling the world with her husband, Jerry. Rona was beloved by colleagues, friends, and family for her wit, compassion, and expertise.

Rona is fondly remembered for her love of words. She wrote clever and touching birthday poems and was known for her ability to make any words rhyme (except, of course, for "orange"). She shared her love of words with wide-ranging book recommendations, book club gatherings, and spelling bee tips. She also used words to speak up for the rights of women—testifying before the Indiana State Legislature in 1976 in favor of the Equal Rights Amendment (it passed!). Rona's compassion for others could be seen in words and deeds.

In her leisure time she and her husband Jerry would spend time on cruises all over the world, including South America, Europe, South East Asia and family cruises to Alaska and Hawaii. Back at home, Rona and Jerry would spend hours walking the beaches in Hilton Head - photographing birds, petting dogs, and enjoying the fresh salt air.

Rona is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jerry Ginsberg; her children Mitchell (Tracie) and Daniel (Jessica); cherished granddaughters Leah (Joe), Beth, and Abby.

To those who knew Rona, please take a moment to recall your time with her. Preferably with a slice of New York style cheesecake, for which she was famous.

Donations may be made in Rona's memory to any of her favorite organizations listed here:

The Deepwell Project
https://www.deepwellproject.org/donate

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
https://www.weareplannedparenthood.org/