Ruthe Rabinowitz Hirsch

Ruthe Rabinowitz Hirsch March 16, 1927 - November 10, 2023 Our dear mother, Ruthe (that's right, with an 'e'), was the fourth child and only daughter born to Anna Fega and David Rabinowitz, immigrants from Skvira, Ukraine, in Pittsburgh's Hill District. Moving to Nicholson Street in Squirrel Hill when she was a girl, Ruthe was a 1944 graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School. She helped produce her graduating class' variety show for its twentieth reunion, hosting rehearsals in her family's Mt. Lebanon living room. During high school, she assisted her parents by working in her father's grocery store, Dave's Market at Penn Avenue and 25th Street in the Strip District. Following high school, she attended Business Training College to learn secretarial skills. Ruthe had close and loving relationships with all three of her big brothers, Mac, Irv and Lou, all of whom became Pittsburgh grocers like their father and who predeceased Ruthe. In 1945, she met her late ex-husband, Milton Hirsch, and they were married following his return from the war in 1946. They raised four children: Steven (Jacqui); Laurrie Pike (Graham); Debra Anderson (John); and Michael (LuAnn), all of whom attended Mt. Lebanon Public Schools. Ruthe was a stay-at-home mom for her young children. She was a good cook, and talented baker. She played her upright piano and instigated lots of family singing, especially in the family car (without the piano!). She encouraged her kids' academic, extra-curricular and sports pursuits. As the kids grew into teen years she worked in retail (Millers' women's fashions in the then new South Hills Village), in sales of office equipment and supplies (Leslie Dresbold) and later taught Yoga at the Bigelow Health Club. One by one, her kids moved to California. Ruthe eventually followed suit in 1982, relocating to Marin County nearest to her youngest son, Michael. Ruthe's entrepreneurial skills led her through various occupations, culminating as the owner/operator of "Day at the Bay", a successful inbound senior tour and entertainment enterprise offering San Francisco Bay cruises and luncheons in great settings, with entertainment billed as "A Musical Stroll Down Broadway", which she produced, directed and in which she performed. Her flair for entertainment, showmanship and her business acumen kept her busy with that activity well into her eighties. She also worked in hotel sales and marketing and directed activities at some Bay Area assisted living facilities. Ruthe had a passion for sharing her knowledge of life skills and selfcare with her family, friends and even acquaintances. She moved into assisted living herself in her later years and passed away peacefully at age 96. In addition to her adult children and their spouses, she is survived by her eight grandchildren: Ben Anderson (Morgan), Charles Anderson (Tisha): Max Pike (Stephanie); Alex Pike; Rudy Hirsch; Jonah Hirsch (Alyssa); Tesia Hirsch and Nathan Hirsch; as well as eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Bernard Hirsch and sister-in-law, Edith Flom Schneider, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Ruthe's family wishes to thank her long-time caregivers at Aegis Corte Madera as well as her devoted private caregivers, Vera, Elvira and Rosa, for their compassionate care. She was interred at Mount Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael, CA, on November 14, 2023. If you wish, please make a donation in Ruthe's honor to any charity of your choice.

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Ruthe Rabinowitz Hirsch

March 16, 1927 - November 10, 2023