Charity Co-founder, Armonk Resident Christy Saltstein Dies at 46
By Martin Wilbur
For the past seven years, Christy Saltstein worked tirelessly with her good friend Michele Berliner to show their deep appreciation to area first responders who helped save their husbands’ lives.
They co-founded the Stayin’ Alive charity that has presented about $200,000 in grants to local police and fire departments and ambulance corps for equipment that their budgets have not included. Much of that money was raised through the nonprofit organization’s annual 5K race.
Saltstein died suddenly on July 17 while on vacation with her family in North Carolina. She was 46 years old. A cause of death was not released.
“She was a force to be reckoned with,” Berliner said. “She talked a straight talk but had a lot of love for her friends and family. She was passionate about the work that we did and passionate about all of our friendships.”
The charity that Saltstein launched with Berliner was several months following the night of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Their husbands were struck by a utility pole near their homes in Armonk’s Windmill Farm. Local first responders along with the North Castle Highway Department rushed their stricken husbands to Northern Westchester Hospital despite roads blocked by trees and power lines.
North Castle Supervisor said Saltstein’s passing is a tremendous loss for the town. She was a constant source of energy and inspiration.
“This one’s not easy,” Schiliro said. “Christy touched so many people. For them, thank you wasn’t enough and they needed to put words into action.”
Police Chief Peter Simonsen said the efforts of Saltstein and Berliner have been deeply appreciated by departments in the area. In 2015, North Castle police received a new Jaws of Life that cost about $16,500, according to the Stayin’ Alive website.
“To have gone through that experience and then to spend an enormous amount of time and effort to give back to these first responders as well as helping out the other first responders in our geographic area, I just can’t say enough positive, complimentary things about Michele and Christy,” Simonsen said.
Born in Baltimore to Richard and Linda Beck Roth, Saltstein was married to her husband Douglas, for 21 years. They have two children, Fred and Ella.
After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, she began a long career with Hyatt Hotels, working in the IT department at many of their properties. In addition to her work in co-founding Stayin’ Alive, Saltstein raised money for and traveled with Bridges to Community to build schools in La Guama in the Dominican Republic.
In addition to her husband, children and parents, Saltstein is survived by her sister, Karen Roth Newell and her husband, Craig, of Ellicott City, Md.; her brother, Richard Roth Jr. and his wife, Megan, of Annapolis, Md.; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and numerous friends.
The family held a private service and interment last Friday. There will be a live-streamed service on Aug. 8 at 7:15 p.m. to celebrate her life, spirit and love for all.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Stayin’ Alive, P.O. Box 104, Armonk, N.Y. 10504-0104 or by visiting www.stayinalive.org. Also visit the website to learn about this year’s virtual 5K from Aug. 29 to Sept. 7 that will be run in Saltstein’s memory.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
