Charlotte - Mrs. Ruth Ben-Joseph passed away July 21, 2020. She was born on May 3, 1926 in Antwerp, Belgium to Rosa and Julius Neumarkt. She initially attended school in Antwerp before the family left Belgium to escape the Nazis. They survived WWII in Nice, France where Ruth completed her schooling while participating in the French resistance, bringing food to people in hiding.
After the war, the family moved to what was then called Palestine, where Ruth attended Jerusalem University. It was there that she was introduced to Marc Ben-Joseph, whom she married in 1946 on the first night of Hanukkah. Ruth and Marc both joined the army for the War of Liberation and fought for Israel’s independence. Ruth ended her army service after two years as a Sergeant of the Israeli army.
In January of 1954, Marc and Ruth immigrated to the United States, initially living in Murphy, NC for a year before moving to Charlotte on the eve of Yom Kippur, 1955. Ruth enjoyed a very successful career in Charlotte, starting out at a roofing company in a clerical position. She soon moved to Speizman Industries, where she became one of the first local female Executive Vice President's of an international company. She ended her career by retiring from Terrot Knitting Machines, Inc. as the Executive Vice President of International Operations. Her career took her on many international trips, and was supported by her ability to speak five languages.
During her many years in Charlotte, Ruth and Marc were long-time members of Temple Israel. Ruth also participated actively in local chapters of Business and Professional Women/NC and Hadassah. Ruth enjoyed traveling all over the world with Marc. They amassed a large collection of postcards from their travels and both enjoyed taking photos as well. In addition, Ruth was an avid swimmer.
Ruth is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Marc. She is survived by her cousin, Judge Robert Horowitz of California; Marc’s cousins, Haim and Bella Felsen and Yonatan Reich in Israel; and a large network of friends all over the country and abroad.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18