Rhona Silver (August, 1951 – November 6, 2017[1]) was an American businesswoman in the catering industry.[6] Until 2007, she owned a large catering hall, Huntington Townhouse, on Long Island.[7][3][8] She was co-founder of an internet-based catering company that connects anyone planning a party or event with local caterers.[9]

Rhona Silver
BornAugust 1951
Died (aged 66)[1]
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationHofstra University School of Law[2]
OccupationFormer catering hall owner[3][4]
Known forFormer owner of the Huntington Townhouse[5]
Websitewww.caterbid.com

Early life and education

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Rhona Silver was inclined towards the catering business from an early age as her father was a caterer in the Bronx, where she was born.[1][2][5] Al Silver catered at the Pelham Parkway Jewish Center and, after moving to Long Island, became the caterer at the East Meadow Jewish Center.[citation needed] She attended Hofstra University School of Law from 1978 to 1980 before taking up catering as a full-time profession.[2]

Career

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Silver started with a small catering company which gradually spread to a few cities. In 1997, she purchased Huntington Townhouse, a 148,000-square-foot catering hall, for $7.6 million.[10][11] She sold it in 2007;[3] however, Silver was subsequently sued by Douglas Elliman Real Estate for commissions on the sale and by her half-brother who claimed he had owned half of the site.[1] In response, Silver sued her former boyfriend, Barry Newman, whom she alleged had organized the sale deal. The case was still in court at the time of her death.[1]

By 2011, Silver and two of her children launched CaterBid.com, an online venue to obtain quotes for event services from multiple suppliers.[9]

Silver was a member of The Committee of 200 (C200),[citation needed] the eWomenNetwork Foundation Advisory Council, and the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).[citation needed] She was the recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor.[when?]

Personal life

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Silver was married to Elliot Hurdy, co-owner of Huntington Townhouse.[12][13] She died on November 6, 2017, of a heart attack.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Huntington Townhouse Owner Rhona Silver Dies At 66". 7 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "L.i. Caterer Has $1M, Dream to be Martha". New York Daily News.
  3. ^ a b c "The Week - Lowe's Completes Deal To Buy Catering Hall - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Grand Night For Splurging; Boom Times Make Prom an Event On Which No Expense Is Spared". The New York Times. 16 June 2000. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  5. ^ a b "The Small but Sure Steps Taken To Turn Their Lives Around". The New York Times. 14 November 1999. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  6. ^ "USATODAY.com - Woman offers to pay $1M of Stewart's bills". USA Today. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  7. ^ JENNIFER BARRIOS (6 July 2011). "Huntington Townhouse to soon be a memory". Newsday. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  8. ^ "Lowe's Abandons Plans for New Huntington Location". Long Island Press. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  9. ^ a b MICHELE INGRASSIA. Special to Newsday (2 June 2011). "Online matchmaker for couples and caterers". Newsday. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  10. ^ "In the Region/Long Island; Filling the Area's Need for Large Conference Centers". The New York Times. 13 August 2000. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  11. ^ "Gruesome or Grand, It's a New Year's Gig With Buzz". The New York Times. 28 December 1999. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  12. ^ "After 96 Years, Louie's Leaves the Family". The New York Times. 17 March 2002. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  13. ^ "Party Thrown for Sept. 11 Victims' Relatives". ABC News. Retrieved 22 February 2016. ...said Elliott Hurdy, Silver's husband.
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