Ruth Crane Friedberg

Ruth Crane Friedberg, 93, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. She was predeceased by her loving husband of more than 60 years, Dr. Samuel J. Friedberg, her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Crane and her sister Phyllis Crane Chaffin. She was born in Atlantic City, NJ. She was Valedictorian of Atlantic City High School. At the age of 17 she played the piano in the Miss America Pageant in which Bess Meyerson became the first Jewish Miss America.

She attended Bryn Mawr College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College, New York City, NY with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She obtained a Masters of Musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She began her career teaching at The New School of Music in Philadelphia, PA and performed with the New School of Music Trio. She was a member of the music faculty at Duke University for 10 years. Upon moving to San Antonio, she worked with the San Antonio Symphony and a choral group known as The Master Singers. She was a Professor of Music at Incarnate Word College for many years where she established the Music Therapy Program in the Department of Music. She was also a founder of The Ecumenical Center's Expressive Therapeutic Arts Institute as well as a past board member.

During her long career, she published numerous books on playing the piano, The American Art Song as well as several poetry books. Most recently, with the help of friends, Awaken Memories was published which is a compilation of her poetry, music, and her husband's artwork. She has also recorded many performances of The American Art Song as well as Ladino Music. She has performed and lectured all throughout the United States and the world sharing her love and passion for The American Art Song and Ladino Music. She was instrumental in assisting other artists, particularly as students, in establishing their music careers. Her passion for music was endless as she continued to teach piano to many, including her grandsons, as well lecturing and performing publicly.

In addition, she, along with her husband, was instrumental in establishing RMI (Reaching Maximum Independence) in San Antonio as one of the first community housing organizations for people with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD). She was also a board member for many years.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Michael Friedberg (Barbara), her daughter, Jean Friedberg, grandsons, John Samuel Friedberg and Joseph Michael Friedberg all of San Antonio; nieces, Bernadette Wolffe (Wayne) of Arlington, VA and Beryl Bayer, Morristown, FL; nephews Dr. Andrew Wolffe of Nogales, AZ, Dr. Joel Bayer (Karen), Bluffton, SC and Len Bayer (Lori), Rochester, NY.

A service of remembrance will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Temple Beth El. Rabbi Sam Stahl and Cantor Julie Berlin will officiate.

We would like to thank those that cared for Ruth: Dr. Bradley Kayser, Dr. Joe Holahan, Dr. Jermiah Brown, Rabbi Sam Stahl, River City Hospice and the staff at Caring Solutions as well as numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to: UIW Music Therapy Program, 4301 Broadway, CPO #309, San Antonio, TX, 78209; The Ecumenical Center, 8310 Ewing Halsell, San Antonio, Texas 78229; The Art Song Center for Poets and Musicians (www.artsongisalive.org); ABODE Hospice (www.abodehome.org); Disability SA (www.disabilitysa.org) or the charity of the donor's choice.

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