Ruth Boorstein

Ruth Boorstein was born September 13, 1907 in Bayonne, New Jersey. She lived in West New York and Ridgefield Park and then moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey in 1952. In 2006 she moved to Greenwood House, in Ewing, New Jersey.

During World War II she was a member of the American Women’s Volunteer Service, serving as a motor corps sergeant dispensing gifts and cigarettes to returning soldiers at Veteran’s Hospitals, the Naval Yard and at Governors Island.

After the war she worked in New York City as an office manager for Natco, a wholesaler of airline, beach and tote bags. She “retired” at age 75.

At the same time she was president and regional chairperson for the Deborah Hospital

Foundation. She helped raise thousands of dollars for its open-heart surgery center in Browns Mills, New Jersey. She was also on the board of North Hudson Hadassah and she later volunteered for the Bergen County Jewish Family Service.

After retiring from her New York City job as Natco she became a very active member of the J.C.C. on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey, where she was a member of REAP, the organization of Retired Executives and Professionals. The J.C.C. named their Hanukkah party the “Ruth Boorstein Hanukkah Party” to honor her tireless efforts for running these parties for many years. As a member of the “Simcha Singers” she regularly entertained at Senior Centers and nursing homes until she was well into her 80s.

While living at Greenwood House you could find her actively involved in Bingo, Texas-Hold-Em, flower arranging, ceramics, Tai-Chi, and numerous discussion groups.

Though she never married, she was very close to her four nieces, Leonore Leibowitz of Queensbury, New York, Phyllis Romm of New York City, Judy Goldberg of Bergenfield, New Jersey, and Estelle Bodner of Yardley, Pennsylvania. She had seven great nieces and nephews and seventeen great-great nieces and nephews.