3/12

obituary:


Risha Meledandri left us in the wee hours of March 9, 2015. She was a spirited, intelligent and beautiful woman known for her sense of style, her strong opinions and a forthright honesty. She was a lover of nature, birds, the woods, the beach, dogs, beauty, art, music, film, books and public radio. She was an activist, a poet and a perpetual student of life who possessed an uncanny prescience and a discerning eye. Born Risha Honey Levine in New York City to parents Rhea and Harry Levine, she attended George Washington High School and NY City Community College. She lived in Providence RI for four years during her marriage to Monroe Davidson with whom she shared a love of sports cars and road rallies. On returning to New York she married men's clothing designer Roland Meledandri with whom she had two children; Nina and Christopher. She was both an inspiration and a partner in building his distinctive and highly successful business. During the early '70's Risha enrolled in Queens College to complete her undergraduate degree as a creative writing major. During this time she volunteered at WBAI public radio station where she became Assistant to the Program Director eventually conducting interviews of her own on-air. A committed activist, she participated in the anti-war movement and helped spearhead the fight to save Central Park from over development. At 55, fueled by her deep knowledge and connection to the music, ritual, art and religion of African based cultures she opened Espiritu; a folk art gallery focused on objects from all cultures that address a universal common spirit. In 1993 Risha left the city for Austerlitz NY to live surrounded by nature. She continued her involvement in community affairs by volunteering for Meals on Wheels, the Austerlitz Historical Society and WAMC in Albany. She relocated to Rhinebeck NY continuing her work at WAMC and her quest for knowledge at the Lifetime Learning Institute at Bard College before spending her final year in Park Slope, Brooklyn after being diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. In Brooklyn she was charmed by the endless parade of dogs and children in Grand Army Plaza and she enjoyed weekly trips to the Brooklyn Public Library. Risha is survived by her two children: artist Nina Meledandri of Brooklyn, NY and producer Christopher Meledandri of LA, CA and two grandchildren: Nicholas Meledandri and James Meledandri. Donations in her memory can be made to public radio station WAMC (by mail: WAMC NE Public Radio/318 Central Ave./Albany, NY 12206 or as a memorial gift online at wamc.org/support-wamc by choosing "pledge now"). A memorial service is planned for the spring.