Rose Rita Levens Wurmser

LEXINGTON - Wurmser, Rose Rita Levens, died on November 25, 2010.

Born in Louisville on February 14, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Lillian and Joseph Levens. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lois Stern. She graduated from Louisville Girls High School and attended the University of Louisville.

Rose Rita, known as "Rosie" by family and friends, was an adored wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. An accomplished business woman, a revered homemaker and hostess, Rose Rita was a selfless supporter of people in need and a humanitarian.

With Jerry, her husband and partner of more than 63 years, Rose Rita helped found the J.W. Wurmser Co. in 1961 after moving to Lexington. She managed the internal business operations of their wholesale toy and sundries business for 23 years. During this time, and for the next 24 years during retirement, Rose Rita was a respected and active member of Temple Adath Israel, serving on the Temple Board and its Sisterhood. Recognized for her culinary talents and skill in coordinating holiday meals for Temple congregants, she was referred to lovingly as the "Kugel Queen". For close to 10 years, starting in the late 80's, Rose Rita was a driving force in setting up apartments for families involved in the Soviet Resettlement Program. In 1996, in recognition of their outstanding service to their community, she and Jerry were selected as recipients of the prestigious National Conference of Christians & Jews' CHAI Award.

Throughout her retirement, Rose Rita was devoted to helping others, volunteering considerable talent and time to organizations dedicated to education and social action. As a volunteer, she provided business counseling with the Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) and managed Good Samaritan Hospital Gift Shop for a number of years; Rose Rita supported Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Operation Read, and Cassidy Elementary School's tutoring program. A tender-hearted and avid animal lover, she adopted many a stray and was known in her neighborhood for her daily 4 mile walks with her dogs.

She is survived by her beloved husband Jerome "Jerry" Wurmser and their four children, Judith Wurmser (Paul Cable) of Lexington, Terri Wurmser, of Baltimore, MD, Jeffrey Mark Wurmser, of Lexington and Linda Wurmser Noffsinger (Jeffrey Lee), of Lexington; four grandchildren, Lauren Howard (Chris), Matthew Higdon, Jared Noffsinger and Jeremy Noffsinger; her two great-grandchildren, Joshua and Noah Howard, and her grandchildren by marriage, Adam and Patrick Cable. Rose Rita will be remembered and missed by an extensive extended community of family and friends.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Temple Adath Israel, 124 N. Ashland Ave., officiated by Rabbi Marc Kline and Rabbi Jon Adland. Visitation will be Sunday, 4-6 p.m. at Milward Funeral Home, N. Broadway, and Monday, 10 a.m. at the Temple. A graveside service will follow at Lexington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, expression of sympathy may be made to Temple Adath Israel, 124 N. Ashland Ave. Lexington, KY 40502 or Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Dr., Lexington, KY 40504. www.milwardfuneral.com