Ruth Roubicek Sanders

Ruth Roubicek Shugerman Sanders died on Wednesday, July 5 after a short illness. Born in Birmingham, she attended Lakeview School and Ramsey High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Simmons College in Boston.

Ruth married Earle Shugerman and they had three children whom she loved dearly. She was a superb mother, a gourmet cook and a gracious and vivacious hostess. When her children became teenagers, she fulfilled her ambition to pursue music. She enrolled at Samford University and earned both bachelors and masters degrees in piano performance. She began a very fulfilling career as a piano teacher that continued until recent years. Many of her students became her lifelong friends.

Ruth’s father, Joseph, was from Prague and Ruth maintained close ties with the Czech family that persist today. Like him, Ruth was very supportive of them during the difficult Soviet era.

In 1982 she married Donald Sanders and they shared a love of dogs, travel, art and music.

Survivors include her husband Don, sons Earle Shugerman and Richard Shugerman, daughter Susan Shugerman, grandchildren Emily, Maggie and Elliott Shugerman and Roby Mann and sister Karen Roubicek. Her friends were another great source of joy in a life that was unquestionably lived to the fullest.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at a later date.