Ruth “Ginsburg” Ferrell was born in Chicago on January 11th, 1928 to parents David and Anna Ginsburg. As a child of immigrant parents, Ruth spent the first five years of her life speaking only Yiddish and it wasn’t until she started school that she learned English. As a strong-willed young woman, Ruth enjoyed reading and roller skating. She got her first job at Sears department store when she was 16 and ended up making lifelong friendships while doing so.
In 1944, Ruth met the love of her life, Malcom Bras “Joe” Ferrell, at a roller skating rink. It wasn’t the most conventional relationship in those times, as Ruth was Jewish and Joe was not, but their love persevered and they married in 1946 surrounded by their family and friends.
Ruth and Joe built their forever home in Lincolnwood in 1954 and began to build their family. Ruth gave birth to their first daughter, Debra in the same year, and in 1957, they welcomed their youngest daughter, Judith. With their family complete, Ruth and Joe set to building a beautiful life with their new family.
While Ruth raised their children and kept up their home, Joe worked full-time as a truck driver. Ruth quickly gained a reputation for making the best chocolate chip cookies and brownies and was frequently found in the kitchen making both. Thanksgivings were spent making everything from scratch for a house full of her closest family and friends, all sent home with full bellies and plenty of leftovers.
As Ruth’s children grew, so did their family. Both daughters married and went on to start their own lives. In 1989, Ruth and Joe’s first granddaughter, Gina, was born followed a short year later by their second granddaughter, Lauren, in 1990. Sadly, a few months after Lauren’s birth, Joe lost his battle with cancer. Although devastated by the loss of her husband, Ruth was overjoyed to welcome her youngest granddaughter, Jamie, to the family in 1991.
Ruth spent much of the 80s and 90s working for Allstate where she worked until she retired in 1995. She spent her later years traveling the globe, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and of course, cooking and baking. Ruth loved going to her water aerobics class at the YMCA and made a wonderful group of friends in the process. She had the privilege of attending her grandchildren Lauren and Jamie’s B’nai Mitzvah. Ruth was able to witness her grandchild Gina’s wedding, and was also able to spend time with her first great grandson, Jace.
Ruth was well known as being a kind, caring, and loving person. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
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