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Ellen Amalia Rubenstein
Ellen Amalia Rubenstein
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Ellen Rubenstein Obituary
Ellie was born on December 18th, 1954 in Chicago, Ill to Marty and Shirlee Rubenstein who instilled in her a love of music and learning which stayed with Ellie throughout her life. Ellie spent most of her adult years in Evanston and Highland Park, Ill before moving to Florida in 2018 in pursuit of warmer weather and bluer skies.
A lifelong learner and lover of language, Ellie received her master's degree in language arts and education in 2001. Over the next 20+ years, she went on to become a nationally recognized, award-winning public school educator with experience both in the 4th-grade classroom and with her tutoring businesses. Ellie cared deeply about her students and built strong relationships that lasted all throughout her career and beyond. Ellie was also a fierce advocate for human rights and spent much of her time in Florida with the Democratic Party of Lee County. In 2022, she was honored as their Volunteer of the Year.
Yet, amidst her many accomplishments and achievements, Ellie was most proud of her role as a loving mother to Emma and Allison, devoted grandmother to Spiro and Kalman, supportive sister to her siblings Mark, Jac, Amy, Ann and Jonathan and beloved wife of 27 years to Richard. Her favorite place in the world was with her family and friends. Ellie loved music and books, traveling, working out with friends, walking the beautiful beaches of Sanibel looking for shells, and spending time in the sun as co-captain to Richard of the SeaRam. Ellie found beauty, humor and wonder in the everyday and her passion for life will be remembered by all who knew her.
A celebration of life will take place at her home in Fort Myers on June 1st. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the organizations listed below:
Ellie's Memorial Tree at the Chicago Botanic Gardens: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-ellie-memorial-tree-at-cbg
Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ellies-advocacy-for-reproductive-rights
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-preserve-ellies-favorite-wildlife-refuge
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Louise Ellen haimowitz
December 21, 2024
Ellie was my very best friend throughout our years at ETHS. We slept at each other's houses as often as our own, and even wrote in each other's journals on a regular basis. I deeply loved and admired her honesty, emotional intelligence , courage, and contagious sense of humor. I am so sad that she is gone, but I will remember her with tremendous love for the rest of my life. xxx Louise Haimowitz
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Gigi Hara-Ramis
May 30, 2024
I met Ellie through my friendship with Ann at Harand Camp. I will never forget her infectious smile, boundless energy, and her love of life. She will be greatly missed not only by her family, but by the many whose lives she touched. With love always, Gigi Hara-Ramis
Linda Fields
May 30, 2024
I didn't know my co-mother-in-law Ellie long enough or well enough, but I think her youtube video Iquityoucantfireme sums up her intelligence, courage, passion and dedication to advocacy and Tikkun Olam as a lifestyle, traits that shine so brightly in Allie as well.
Wishing all strength for the days ahead, and peaceful hearts for those that follow.
Nora Gaffin Shore
May 27, 2024
When I first met Marty and Shirlee, their children were little. Ellie was a gorgeous little doll with big brown eyes and a lovely smile. I remember her at camp and also when the Rubensteins would visit the Friedmans.
Joe/Nicole Harvey
May 26, 2024
Our deepest condolences to the Rubenstein family. Though we didn't know Ellie, Mark spoke lovingly of her, and we know she is deeply missed. We also have a shared love of Sanibel and Ding Darling, and I imagine there were probably times we shuffled past each other while looking for the best shells, eyes fixed on the sand at our feet. I hope her memory will be a solace and joy to her husband and family, especially at this heartbreaking time.
joan lebow
May 26, 2024
dear Mark and all the Rubenstein family, we are thinking of you. Having wonderful memories of Ellie is a blessing but the sadness of your loss must be so deep. We send love and hope that you can take comfort from each other. Joan and Doug
Sarah Fargo
May 25, 2024
I´m sorry I never got to meet Ellie. My heart goes out to the whole family. To Amy and Mark who I know, and to all the others I only know of, I send you love and hugs. May Ellie rest in peace and I´m sure she knew how much she was loved.
Nora Gaffin Shore
May 24, 2024
Her sweet nature and her beautiful smile. She was gorgeous
Kay Tolchin
May 24, 2024
Ellie had the warmest smile. A kind, smart, delightful human. Sending love to Richard, Jonny & Ruthie, and the whole family.
Judy Mooney nee Friedman
May 24, 2024
Brummel street in Evanston. We lived on Barton and our families were close. My favorite was Christmas Day when Shirlee would make us pancakes in shapes.
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16850 Oriole Road Suite 1, Fort Myers, FL 33912
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