Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1943
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Ellen Rubin Obituary
June 2, 1943 - October 8, 2020
Ellen Rubin of Oakland, California, died peacefully on October 8, 2020. Ellen was born June 2,1943 to Eileen (Waisman) Pachefsky and Samuel Pachefsky in Milwaukee, WI, where she was raised, graduated from Washington High School and then from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with a degree in Education, specializing in special education for hearing impaired children. After a year she realized that her lack of fluency in American Sign Language was a significant barrier to her efforts to communicate with her classes, so she moved to teach regular classes in elementary grades. She then returned to UWM to earn her Masters in Library Science, and dedicated her career to helping foster a love of reading in young children.
Ellen married Allen Rubin in 1967. Their first date had been their high school senior prom, which led to 53 years of devoted marriage. In 1978 Ellen and Allen followed Allen's career to the New York area, where they lived first in Englewood, then Ridgewood, NJ. Their daughter Abby was born in Englewood, then son Steven (adopted from Korea) joined the family several years later. When Steven was in elementary school, Ellen resumed her career as a children's librarian first at the Bede School, then the Elisabeth Morrow School, both in Englewood, NJ. Her former students fondly recall the cocoa parties she gave in the library and the annual book fairs she helped to organize.
Ellen is survived by her husband, Allen, children Abby (Ross Davisson-San Francisco) and Steven (Tucson, AZ), her beloved grandsons Sam and Max Davisson, her sister Sandy Ansfield (Oshkosh, WI) and niece and nephew Judy Hebert and Joel Ansfield, both of Oshkosh, and many cousins scattered across the country.
A service will be conducted on the internet on Monday, October 12, at 1:00 PM PDT. with a private internment at Home of Eternity Cemetery in Oakland, CA. For more information, Sinai Chapel in Lafayette, CA, sinaichapel.org. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen's memory may be made to the Oakland Literacy Coalition at oaklandliteracycoalition.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Rubin
Sponsored by Sinai Memorial Chapel Lafayette.
3 Entries
Janet Keshishian
October 18, 2020
I had the honor and pleasure of working with Ellen at The Elisabeth Morrow School for many years until her retirement. She was a beautiful soul. Warm and caring to the little ones and a kind and supportive colleague. My prayers are with your family and I wish you peace.
Fondly,
Jan Keshishian
Emily Hewetson
October 18, 2020
Ellen was a lovely woman who instilled a love of literature and reading in the many students she taught. Ellen’s gentle nature and dedication to her craft were a gift to her young students. Her friends and colleagues were also fortunate to enjoy her bright, lively mind as well as her supportive and collegial nature.
Sherry Malmon
October 9, 2020
Ellen was a sweet, bright, awesome mom, wife, and sister-in-law, as well as a dedicated teacher and children's librarian. She had a quiet strength and a delightful sense of humor. I admire her for her stoicism after her devastating fall nine years ago, and I can just imagine her freedom from pain as she now glides up the staircase to heaven!
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
Make a Donation
in Ellen Rubin's name
Memorial Events
for Ellen Rubin
Oct
12
Service
1:00 p.m.
CA
How to support Ellen's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ellen Rubin's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
