Gertrude Ruth Liss

Born January 8, 1927 in Cleveland, Gert graduated from Heights High School in 1945. She was a member of Temple Emanu El and Fairmount Temple.

She and her husband (along with many grandchildren, in later years) enjoyed extensive domestic and international travel, documenting their adventures with photographs, written articles and the collection of art and antique items along the way. She formed a particular affinity for Israel and pursued dual American and Israeli citizenship in the 1980s. A lover of storytelling, she wrote dozens of articles about the country and people of Israel for the Cleveland Jewish News and traveled to schools to expose school-aged kids to the country through “Hello Israel.” Her spirit of entrepreneurship fueled the co-creation of Abetter Typesetter in the basement of her family home alongside her husband and youngest daughter. She was a devoted volunteer, dedicating much of her time to the Sar El Volunteer Army (in Israel) and the Discovery Shop thrift store benefiting the American Cancer Society. She was energized by speed walking and was once a regular member of the morning Beachwood Mall walking crew where she (and occasionally her grandchildren) would make fast laps before enjoying coffee, hot chocolate and cheese danish at McDonalds. Her baked macaroni cheese, microwave zucchini carrot casserole and homemade applesauce were hallmark foods - however most memorable is her famous pudding cake with sprinkles.

Gertrude is survived by her three of her four children Terry Liss, (Antoinette), Bonnie Liss, and Nancy Petru (Kevin) as well as nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by Esther and Louis Aronoff (parents), Irwin Liss (husband of 60 years), Cathy Liss (daughter), Evelyn and Sandy Barcus (sister and brother in law), and Leonard and Renee Aronoff (brother and sister in law). She regarded many of her friends as family, as well.

Services will occur at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel 1985 S. Taylor Rd. Cleveland Heights, Friday, March 3 2023 at 1:00pm. Friends who wish to view the service may visit this website at the time of the funeral to locate a link to the livestream. (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/cleveland-heights-oh/gertrude-liss-11179715).

Two charitable organizations have been designated as beneficiaries of contributions made in Gert’s memory: OutRun Ovarian Cancer (OROC) (www.oroc.org), a volunteer driving organization dedicated to raising ovarian cancer awareness and money for research and education. Village in the Heights (https://www.villageintheheights.org), a membership-driven group that empowers senior members to live interdependently in their home and neighborhood.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berkowitzkuminbookatzfunerals.com for the Liss family.