Ruth Rose Schwam

Ruth Freedman Schwam, beloved wife of Stanley Schwam for 63 years, died peacefully at the age of 83, surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 4. Ruthie was born on May 24, 1930 at Touro Infirmary as one of a set of triplets. She and her triplet sister and brother survived their premature birth owing to a recent donation of infant incubators. Their birth was a local sensation since triplets were rare and survival of all three even rarer. Thus, for the first several years of their life, their birthday was marked by a short feature and photograph in the local New Orleans newspapers. Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Daniel Freedman and Dora Frank Freedman, her older siblings Teal Freedman Bennett and Alex Freedman, and her triplet sister, Betty Freedman Regenbogen. Ruthie is survived by her devoted husband Stanley Schwam; her triplet brother Ben Freedman of Morgantown WV; her three children Julie Schwam Harris, Shira Schwam-Baird, and Nathan Schwam; by their spouses Seth Harris, David Schwam-Baird and Danielle Nice; her five grand-children Michael “Mikush” Schwam-Baird, Joshua Harris, Jonathan Harris and twins Asher and Blaise Schwam; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruthie was a loving mother, generous friend and supportive confidante to loved ones. During her struggle with Alzheimer’s Ruthie received excellent support and care from Home Instead Senior Care, in particular from caregivers Christine Collins, Jerri Crawford, Alethea Davis, Lacey A. Evans, Alisha Nelson and Darrylyn Washington. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Hebrew Rest Cemetery #3, 2100 Pelopidas Street at Frenchman with Rabbi Alexis Berk officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Touro Synagogue or the Louisiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home of Metairie is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimer.com. Information, (504) 835-2341