Ruth Stern Shapiro

RUTH STERN SHAPIRO died March 14, 2003 at the age of 88. She was born May 5, 1914 in Houston, Texas, to Julia and Armand Stern. She graduated from San Jacinto High School and attended Rice University. She was a fourth-generation member of Congregation Beth Israel and a long-time volunteer at the Lighthouse for the Blind. Ruth Shapiro will be best remembered for her devotion to family and friends. An only child, she dedicated her life to building a large, close-knit family. For nearly four decades, she and her husband, Sam, hosted weekly Friday night dinners. Ruth considered the resulting family closeness to be her greatest legacy. She is preceded in death by her parents and by her loving husband of 66 years, Sam J. Shapiro. She is survived by her children: Carolyn and Dan Krause, Suzanne and Mel Rockoff, Lynn and Armand Shapiro, and Jeri and Marc Shapiro; grandchildren: Marsha and Joe Cohen, Susan and Richard Frapart, Elyse and Randy Frapart, Julie and Rob Lang, Susan and Stuart Rockoff, Karen Rockoff and Gene Gowe, Stefani and Andrew Golub, Jackie and Scott Shapiro, Cindy and Gregory Zabel, and Stephen Shapiro; 14 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mollie Bagelman; brother-in-law, I. J. Shapiro; special cousin, Alice Weiser Berkman; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family wishes to extend our love and appreciation to Racquel Solis for her more than 25 years of devoted service. Also a special thanks to Ludivina Gomez and Nora Sanchez for their compassionate care; as well as to Dr. Robert Luchi and the staff of Baylor Geriatric Medicine Associates. Pallbearers will be Joe Cohen, Randy Frapart, Richard Frapart, Rob Lang, Andrew Golub, Scott Shapiro, Stuart Rockoff, Gene Gowe, Stephen Shapiro and Gregory Zabel. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2003 at 3:00 P. M. at Beth Israel Memorial Gardens (Woodlawn Cemetery), 1101 Antoine. Rabbi Samuel E. Karff and Cantor Robert Gerber officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096; Lighthouse of Houston, 3602 W. Dallas, Houston, TX 77019; or The Huffington Center on Aging at the Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030.