Ruth Berkowitz

Ruth Berkowitz, retired educator, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021. She was 93. A proud native of New York City, she was born in 1927 in the Bronx where she was raised by her parents, Julius and Rose (Hochberg) Shapiro.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Susan, Reva, and Linda, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren (a complete list follows).

Ruth was married to her beloved Aaron Berkowitz for 61 years until his death in 2009. She was also preceded in death by her sister Claire Shapiro and great-granddaughter Amelia Gartman.

Ruth was born on July 17 or 18, 1927 (her birth certificate and her mother’s recollection never coincided). She graduated high school at 15 and begged her father to let her go to college because she was terrified to go to work. He relented and she was proud that she became the first woman president of House Plan at City College of New York (CCNY). As her three children grew, she returned to school at Columbia University to earn a master’s degree and begin her career as a respected primary school reading specialist in the East Ramapo, NY school district.

Ruth and Aaron met as teenagers when he was working behind the counter at a drug store soda fountain. He gave her extra maraschino cherries on her ice cream sodas and she fell in love. They married, raised a family, danced together and traveled the world. Ruth loved to entertain and she famously made delicious meals and baked heavenly treats (Ohhh, that mandel bread…). Aaron proclaimed her fare to be “worth a dollar a spoon.” He increased the valuation over the years to adjust for inflation.

Ruth was admired for her good taste and sense of style. She loved clothes and had closets full. The ultimate shopper, she never let a week go by without a trip to her cherished Loehmann’s, and in later years she continued to enjoy the “hunt” in malls and shops world-wide. She was generous and her sprees extended to her family and friends. She always let her daughters shop her closet. When friends asked the daughters where they had shopped for their outfits, they would answer “Ruthie’s Casuals.”

Ruth adored her daughters but she was no pushover. She had high expectations for her children and demanded they be met. She encouraged and supported them, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a terrific role model who believed in doing the right thing with honesty and integrity.

Ruth appreciated culture and she took her daughters to museums, Broadway theater, and the opera. She liked to have fun and she was funny, sometimes unintentionally and often unexpectedly.

Ruth had boundless energy and she stepped out of her comfort zone to try new things. She became a runner, walked at least five miles a day, and played tennis and golf well into her 80s. She regretted that she never learned to ride a bike although she kept trying, into her 60s. She belonged to book clubs, movie clubs, bridge clubs, Hadassah and other organizations.

Ruth was a talented knitter, creating stunning afghans, sweaters, shawls, capes, hats and scarves. She could interpret the most complicated pattern into a work of art. She would knit anywhere, even in the dark at the movies. No baby was born to family or friends without receiving a magnificent sweater, hat or blanket. She learned to crochet so she could create yarmulkas for her grandchildren’s bar and bat mitzvahs.

Ruth was a devoted member of the Rockland County chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women for many years and was proud of the accomplishments of the organization. She cherished the many life-long friends she made as a member. She also loved PBS, especially Masterpiece Theater.

Donations in Ruth’s honor may be made to NCJWrockland.org (National Council of Jewish Women) or PBS.org.

Services on May 23rd will be private due to Covid-19.

Ruth’s survivors:

Daughters

Susan Gartman (Jay Gartman), Reva Fishner (Steve Fishner), and Linda Berkowitz.

Grandchildren

Carly Gartman Kuper (Rob Kuper), Sara Gartman Aufgang (Ari Aufgang), Lev Gartman (Becky James Gartman), Jonathan Fishner (Eva Fishner), Ben Fishner (Michael Clark), Maya Rufino (Jon Boustania), Ezra Rufino, and Niko Rufino-Smiley (Hann Smiley).

Great-Grandchildren

Lily Kuper, Nina Kuper, AJ (Aaron) Aufgang, Ronin Aufgang, Annie Gartman, Gabriel Fishner, and Lila Fishner.