Ruth Zahn Epstein

Ruth Epstein (nee Zahn) died peacefully in Newton, MA. on January 11th, at age 100, surrounded by her loving and devoted children. Ruth remained active, engaged in the world and delighted in her family. She was born in Denver, and lived a full life in Chicago with her husband Morrie. She provided leadership to many organizations in the Jewish world, including Hadassah, ADL and Temple West Suburban Har Zion, where she was the first woman to serve on the Board of a Conservative Synagogue in the midwest. She moved to Inverrary, Florida, where she continued her leadership role in Hadassah, enjoyed Mah Jongg, and celebrated her first hole-in-one, as she built a new chapter in her life with new friends. Following Morrie's death in 1995, Ruth moved to Stratford Court, where she served as chair of the Resident Council and the local Hadassah chapter. She was an active volunteer with the Listener Program in the local schools and attended lifelong learning programs at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She spent her last years at Cabot Park Village in Newton MA. where she celebrated her 100th birthday. Small, smart, stylish and very funny, Ruth lived life fully. She is survived by her son Michael and his wife Susan, daughter Debra DeLee and her partner Arnie Miller, her beloved grandchildren, Rebecca and her husband Joe Gaeta, Molly and her fiance Gordon Saft, and the greatest joy of her last year, her great-grandson, Simon. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Beverly. Ruth would be the first to say "I had a great run."

Funeral services will be at Temple Shalom of Newton, 175 Temple Street, Newton, MA on Wednesday January 13 at 4:30 p.m. Contributions in her memory can be made to Hadassah, Americans for Peace Now, or Planned Parenthood Federation of America.