Ruth Miriam (Libarkin) Brill was reunited with her beloved husband Marty on May 2, 2021, after unexpected complications from surgery. She was pampered at her daughter’s home in Orange, CA, with foot massages, home-made soups, and chocolate ice cream, and was surrounded by her children when she passed. She was 86 years young.
Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1935, Ruth was the first-born child of Russian immigrants Ellis and Goldie Libarkin and older sister to Lenny Libarkin, who predeceased her. She often spoke of feeling spoiled with love from her grandparents, aunts, and uncles as a young girl, and had memories of idyllic summers in Atlantic City.
At the tender age of 14, Ruth’s smile caught the eye of a smart, handsome boy named Marty Brill who moved into the house across the street from her. Although Marty had a strict rule to never date girls who lived in his neighborhood, he made an exception just this once… and the rest was history. The two were married five years later in 1954, and moved to suburban New Jersey soon after, where they raised their two daughters.
Ruth’s pride and joy was being a homemaker, wife, and mother. She was known for her meticulously kept home and took delight in hosting dinners and cocktail parties. When her girls were young, every birthday party was a two-part extravaganza, with festivities for the children during the day and a big family celebration at night. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins would travel across the bridge from “Philly” for an evening of music, dancing, and a table overflowing with Ruth’s delicious home-made casseroles and desserts.
While instilling serious values like responsibility, integrity, and academic excellence in her children, Ruth was also enamored with Disney movies and Broadway musicals. It was she who introduced her girls to this magical world, where the unavoidable darker sides of life were always counterbalanced by light, love, courageous heroes, and happy endings. She and Marty also passed on their love of reading by filling their home library with colorful storybooks, as well as classics and novels.
Ruth’s Jewish faith was very important to her. She and Marty were active members of the local temple wherever they lived, often serving in leadership roles. Ruth also enjoyed volunteering with ORT, the largest Jewish non-profit organization for education in the world.
In the late 1970’s, Marty’s job with ARCO took the family to Southern California. His promotion afforded them a beautiful Spanish style home in the San Fernando Valley. “The Brill Hilton,” as it was dubbed, quickly became a popular vacation destination for their east coast relatives and friends, with many happy and hilarious moments shared in their back yard jacuzzi.
In 1990 Marty was offered an early retirement option and the couple relocated to Orange County, CA, where Ruth saw to it that her husband was never at loss for projects. She cultivated new friendships and started volunteering at Heritage Pointe, the only Jewish-based assisted living community in the county. The couple spent more time traveling and enjoyed many memorable vacations. But their favorite destination in the world was Hawaii, which became an annual trip that was often generously extended to their children and grandchildren. Nothing gave them greater pleasure than being in paradise with their family.
The couple celebrated 65 wonderful anniversaries together until Marty succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease in October 2019. And while Ruth always had a smile to share with everyone she met, she privately talked about how hard it was to be without him every single day. She is survived by her daughters Faith Brill and Linda Schafer (Danny) and granddaughters Olivia Elias (Jacob) and Alexandra Schafer.
A private family service was held at Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, CA on Monday, May 10, 2021. The sharing of your memories here are welcomed by the family.
Donations in memory of Ruth & Marty can be made to:
Jewish Federation of Orange County (jewishorangecounty.org) OR Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia (jewishphilly.org)
Gift acknowledgements can be directed to Faith Brill ([email protected]) or Linda Schafer ([email protected]).
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