Late Livingston Mom Remembered For Loud Cheers, 'Controversial' Meatloaf

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A Livingston woman who worked with a well-known Jewish federation in North Jersey is affectionately remembered by her family for a few other achievements, according to an offbeat obituary that appeared recently.

Riva Chase passed away on Nov. 21 at age 73, the obituary says. She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors and was born in Germany in the late 1940s.

She's survived by her children Gary and Beverly and sister Shirley, and predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Sam Chase.

She worked at the Metrowest Jewish Education Association for 10 years, "where she loved both its mission and the people she worked with," says the obit.

But she had a few other achievements that her family wanted to remember.

"Riva will be remembered for cheering for Gary and Beverly louder than anyone has ever cheered for anything, her amazing carrot cake (which was sometimes confused with a souffle), controversial banana meatloaf, skill in turning a napkin into a rabbit puppet, her unconditional love, many sweet and endearing traditions, and fierce determination."

Banana meatloaf may not be famous, but recipes can be found online; the banana helps hold it together.

The obit also notes that Chase is survived by her "beloved, if a bit zoftig, cat Bradley."

Services were held in late November at Robert Schoem's Menorah Chapel in Paramus. Donations
can be made in memory of Riva at Caringkindnyc.org. Read the rest of the obit here.