Homemaker and expatriate Carolyn Rubenstein Rumm dies in Austin

CAROLYN RUBENSTEIN RUMM, a native New Orleanian who was a resident of the city for much of her life before taking up residence in Europe and Canada, died Wednesday, June 19 in Austin, Texas. Rumm, who was 86, had moved there in 2010 to be closer to family members before her health began to fail.

A graduate of Isidore Newman School in 1943, she attended college briefly at the University of Texas before returning to her birthplace to be married to the late Julius Willenzik in 1945 for nearly 30 years. She was an avid contract bridge player and was a president of Touro Synagogue’s sisterhood. The couple were divorced in 1974.

Having raised four sons at that time, she chose to spend time living abroad in London, England and a few years later in Toronto, Canada. While living in Toronto, she met her second husband, Leon Rumm, who was a resident there. Married for another 30 years, she and her second husband were snowbirds, also owning a winter residence in West Palm Beach, FL

When her second husband died in 2009, Rumm moved back to New Orleans briefly, living at the 1750 Apartments on St. Charles Avenue for a short time before health issues had her move to the Lambeth House. While in New Orleans, she was under the care of her son David Wollizek.  Eventually she chose to take up residence in Austin to be close to two other sons who live there.

She is survived by sons David, Bruce,  Alan and Robert E. Willenzik (Lisa), two of whom reside in Austin, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 2:00 PM in Hebrew Rest Cemetery No. 2, on Frenchmen at Pelopidas Streets in New Orleans. Rabbi Alexis Burk will officiate and arrangements will be by Tharp-Sonetheimer-Tharp Funeral Home in Metairie. For more information call 504-835-2341.