It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Ruth Schwartz on January 7, 2006.
Born in Naugatuck, CT, on July 28, 1933, she married her beloved husband, Arnie Schwartz, 52 years ago. Ruth graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Journalism, but always loved working in the retail industry. She worked for J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue before retiring from business 10 years ago.
Ruth and Arnie Schwartz joined our temple family in 1985. Ruth was an active and much loved member of our temple family. She was our temple administrator, which really doesn’t describe what she really did for our little temple. Ruth kept everything running smoothly, from our regular Friday night gatherings to the High Holidays and every little detail in between. This truly was a labor of love, as she loved the temple and all the members of our temple family.
Ruth always had a smile upon her face and something positive to say. She was often thanked for her work, especially at our town hall meetings. Here normal response after one of Adrian Selbst’s “thank you” speeches was, “Oh please”, and the request that we move on to other more “important” business. As if there was something more important than thanking her for all her hard Ruth.
Ruth also took great joy in her children and grandchildren and loved traveling to see them. Ruth was the proud mother of Andrew B. Schwartz, and his wife, Lisa, of Pittsburgh, PA; Susan Schwartz Witten, and her husband, Dwayne, of Phoenix; and Elizabeth Schwartz Siegler, and her husband, Mitchell, of San Diego, CA and the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: Adam, Alycia, and Annie Witten; Robert, Alexa, and Edward Schwartz; and Jacob and Rebecca Siegler.
A memorial fund has been set up in Ruth’s name. Donations may be sent to:
Ruth Schwartz Memorial Fund c/o
Beth Ami Temple
3104 E. Camelback Road, Suite 508
Phoenix Arizona 85016.
Ruth and Arnie’s daughter Susan Witten (seen below) was also injured in the accident that took Ruth’s life. Susan has sustained a broken neck and injured spinal cord. She is paralyzed from the neck down, though she does have some movement of her hands. Donations can be made to:
Susan Witten Benevolent Fund,
set up through Washington Mutual.
Contributions can be made at any
(Click the above link to locate the
Washington Mutual Bank nearest
You.)
Donated funds will be used to assist Susan with the expenses involved in her rehabilitation.
