Ruth B. LEE

NEWPORT NEWS - Ruth Berlin Lee died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010 in her apartment at Beth Shalom Gardens, an assisted living residence in Richmond. She was 89.
Mrs. Lee was born in Portsmouth, the youngest of eight children of the late Rebecca and Harry Berlin. When she was eight, her mother died, and because of the size of the family, she was then raised by her oldest sibling, the late Minnie Hyman and her husband, Jake. She adored them both. She grew up in Norfolk, and graduated from Maury High School in 1938.
Mrs. Lee resided on the Peninsula for most of her adult life, living for 50 years with her husband, the late Martin T. Lee, in their beloved home on Longwood Drive in the Riverside area of Newport News.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee were among the founding members of Temple Sinai, the Peninsula's Reform Jewish congregation in 1955. She was active in the Temple's Sisterhood, and was also a member of the National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah.
Mrs. Lee was a longtime member of The Great Books Club, a group of women from the Riverside and Hidenwood areas of Newport News, who enjoy reading and discussing the literary classics. The club was established in 1970, and carries on to this day. Ruth and Martin were married for 62 years and they truly adored one another. They loved to dance, which they did into their eighties. They were both avid bridge players, and enjoyed playing whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Mrs. Lee is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Richard H. Lee and Helene B. Lee of Midlothian, and James J. Lee and Doris P. Lee of Dallas, Texas. She had three grandchildren.
The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to Mrs. Melvina Harris and her devoted staff at Beth Shalom Gardens for the loving care they provided and the respect they showed toward Mrs. Lee in her final days.
A funeral is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at Temple Sinai, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the American Cancer Society or Beth Shalom Gardens, 1600 John Rolfe Parkway, Richmond, VA 23238.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.