Charlotte Rakatansky Primack, 98

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SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. – Charlotte Rakatansky Primack died peacefully in her home in Santa Cruz, with her three children by her side on April 20. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she graduated Cranston High East (1936) and Bryant College (1938). Charlotte went on to work at the Providence School Department as a director of federal programs and retired after winning a landmark Equal Pay for Equal Work case.

Her love of Providence and deep connection to the Jewish community brought her much joy and was reflected in her affiliation with Hadassah and in Temple Emanu-El’s Leisure Club. Along with her husband Sam, she shared a lifelong interest in progressive politics and issues of social justice. She came to California at 90 years old and left this life at 98 with no regrets, no fear, feeling loved and so pleased that her children and grandchildren are all thriving. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Sam Primack and her siblings: Ira Rakatansky, Shirley Halsband and Eleanor O’Brien. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Sara and Cliff Friedlander, Mark Primack and Janet Pollock, Ellen Primack and Eric Schmidt, and by her grandchildren: Eva Primack, Luka Primack and Sasha Friedlander.