Ruth Pikitch

Ruth Pikitch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend died peacefully in her sleep early Tuesday, September 18, 2023, in Little Neck, New York. She was 90 years old.

She is survived by her daughters, Ellen Pikitch and Susan Pikitch and their husbands Allen Zwickler and Michael Giobbe; her brother, Irving Rabinowitz; her grandson Scott (Shimon) Emlen, his wife Meira, and their seven children; her grandson Adam Zwickler, his wife Danielle, and their son; granddaughter Randi Zwickler; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close and long-time friends.

Ruth was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she lived for all but the last few years of her life. She was the daughter of Simon and Mollie Rabinowitz. She loved Brooklyn and was quite proud of her roots and heritage.

Directly after high school, Ruth went to work at the bank of London in New York, and subsequently worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for various City Marshals and law firms in Brooklyn and New York City. She was a loyal and caring colleague and continued to work well into her 70’s. Throughout her long career, she forged many friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Widowed in 1995, she lost her beloved husband and love of her life, Benjamin Pikitch, quite suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 65. They were happily married for over 40 years. After his death, she lived independently until two years ago.

She was fun-loving and the life of the party. She was also very talented and charitable. She loved to volunteer; notably for the NY Board of Elections, the Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, and the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture. She also participated in, and was a member of, many clubs and organizations.

She will be cherished and missed by all.

There will be a graveside funeral for close friends and family at Baron Hirsch cemetery in Staten Island beginning at 12:15pm Wednesday, September 20th.

Shiva will immediately follow Wednesday afternoon from 3 – 8 pm and Thursday from 2 – 7 PM at the Manhattan home of Ellen Pikitch and Allen Zwickler.

Donations in Ruth’s honor may be made to The Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst or the Menachem Mendel Cheder Day School of Seattle, WA.

https://www.jchb.org/

https://www.mmscdayschool.org/

A graveside service for Ruth will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Baron Hirsch Cemetery, 1126 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. Rabbi E. Zwickler to officiate.

Family and friends attending the burial should meet at the office of Baron Hirsch Cemetery by 12:45pm.