• Some of us had the pleasure of meeting Rahma Mustapha through Rotary, and knew her as a warm, accomplished woman. This, in capsule form, is some of her public persona.

Our hearts go out to our International RLI Vice Chair Dr. Tamton Mustapha on the loss of his wife, Rahma, who passed away on Sunday, November 19, at the age of 71 after a brief illness.

Rahma spent her final days laughing and sharing  memories, with her family by her bedside.

She worked as an intern in the Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. In 1972, she moved with her husband and young daughter to Kinderhook, She developed the Rehabilitation Department in Columbia Memorial Hospital by bringing in full-time occupational and speech therapists.

She was a constant contributor to local and international charities, such as Save The Children, Southern Poverty Law Center, and At The Crossroads, which was co-founded by her daughter Taj. She was a charter member of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and  served on the board of the United Way of Columbia And Greene Counties and on the Advisory Board for the Capital District Center For The Disabled.

Rahma was one of the first female members of Rotary, joining the Hudson Rotary Club in 1987. Along with her husband, she was integral in the founding of the Kinderhook Rotary Club, where she served as secretary as well as treasurer.

The members of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club extend their deepest sympathies to Rahma’s family, and thank them for sharing her with the world of Rotary.