RUTH FREY Obituary
October 23, 2022. Partner to Steven Jenkins. Sister of Perry (Shirley) Frey. Step mother of Jessica (Zack) Shoemaker. Grandmother of Maci Shoemaker. Aunt of Alexis (Josh) Bryer. Great aunt of Aidan. Sister in law of Gwen Frey. Graveside services are private. Contributions in her memory may be made to Fox chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6410 N Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19126
People and places connected with RUTH
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
5 Entries
Kate
February 26, 2023
Met you at the snack bar in the State Office Bldg. when we were 18yrs old. Had my Stones posters hanging in the Payroll Department which you came to see. Found out your birthday was 12/30 and mine was 12/31, same year. Became soul mates ever since. Will never forget you Ruth and miss you much!!!
Tom Schreiber
October 31, 2022
Ruth was one of the original LIHEAP caseworkers and a person who always helped people obtain benefits to keep warm during Philadelphias cold winters. Thoughtful, compassionate, knowledgeable, and reliable. She was cheerful and instrumental in encouraging cooperation within our LIHEAP community.
Serafet Abazoska (Sherry)
October 27, 2022
Today was going to be a very special day!
Ruth would be wearing the Phillies Jersey and shopping for the Phillies Champions Jersey 2022. The car would be blasting with the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen music. She would be picking up the newspapers and cutting off the cover page, her team made it to the World Series. Red was her favorite color, and she left us on Red October, early morning of 10.23.22.
Ruth loved helping people, she was tough on the outside and soft on the inside. There were many days that she would be upset and cry about her senior client without heat...
Cats made her smile, and she made a social media account just so she can follow and support pets.
Our story was simple yet fulfilling in many ways. Friendship between a Jewish and a Muslim girl for over 20 years. Built on honesty, trust and care for each other. We supported each other through good and bad. She was my American mother, sister and a best friend !
Although her party days were over, her energy was always high. She lived to the fullest and she wanted the party to continue and the good times to go on.
The last text from her is so significant , I asked her to pray for all of us at Liheap, especially the phone unit and she replied:
"Hehe, "
She would always ask about her loving coworkers and send love and hugs for all.
In her honor, help someone in need, listen to music, dance, and wear red.
There will be a small memorial for her immediate family this Thursday and I will be there to represent you. May she rest in Peace!
Take care of yourself and others !!!
Serafet Abazoska
October 27, 2022
I met Ruth in October 2001.
Ruth was one of the first coworkers to welcome me in my new job. Knowing that I don't drive, Ruth drove me to and from work for over 20 years. We worked alongside and shared unforgettable moments together through all of these years.
Ruth didn't need a GPS, she knew all the streets in Philadelphia, something she learned while visiting her clients when she was a caseworker.
Shortly after we met, Ruth lost her mom and later I lost my father. She made a care package includin pain medication that was left from her mom Nadia and told me to ship it to my father overseas. She knew of the shortage of medication In Eastern Europe and she didn't want my father to suffer in pain.
The morning rides were only reserved for listening to Howard Stern Radio.
On our way back from work we would talk about our families that we missed so much.
All of my relatives live in Europe. Ruth knew everything about them. We learned how much our families are alike and share the same values. Ruth was so proud of her parents, often talked about the hardship they endured during the war, how they supported their community and the good life that they made and gave her in the USA.
Ruth was the little sister of the best brother Perry, she called him the Golden Boy. She would often talk of all the places and events he would take her. She enjoyed visiting her niece Alexis in California and when Aiden was born she could not stop talking how handsome he was and what a great mother Alexis is. She had the biggest smile when she would look at his pictures and videos.
Ruth overcame the fear of traveling in Ukraine and made a visit to her aunt Darka, that she loved so much. They kept In touch by writing to each other. The letters made Ruth very happy, it would bring back good familiy memories.
At home she always had her boys, the cats waiting for her at the door. They were her babies.
And of course, Steve was there for her through it all. Loving her and sometimes annoying her. Just like any loving partner would be. Steve would call in the morning to make sure that Ruth made it to work safe and than in the afternoon to ask what she wanted for dinner.
Ruth and I were inseparable. We shared each break and lunch together. Fridays were pizza or Stromboli day, we would also share a can of coke. For her birthdays I would bake her her favorite Carrot Cake. It had to be cake, not cupcakes. Ruth wanted a big slice of cake and a shot of Tequila.
She truly enjoyed music, concerts, and she was a huge philly sports fan.
Ruth was very outspoken person and truthfull. She would always tell it like it is. I learned so much from her. She took me and my children for the first time to miniature golfing. She even made me attend my first funeral. She said I had to learn. She corrected my English, and made sure I moisturize my neck.
"Don't laugh she would say, you don't want a wrinkled neck, you will thank me one day !"
Ruth was always there to guide me, assist me and support me.
Few years back I needed to have a small outpatient surgery. I was so worried and overreacting, that she had to call the hospital to let them know that I am to stressed. Together they made arrangements and I was treated like a queen.
When we were house shopping, it would go through Ruth for review. She knew the dangerous areas, the train tracks, projects and the flood zones...
So together we found my dream house. Of course there were some issues the day before settlement so Ruth and Steve volunteered to do the drive through and let me know that is all ready to go.
In the last two years due to covid we saw each other only three times. It was hard. But we kept in touch, talked for hours and texted all the time.
So many memories, tears and laughter we shared. The memories are bringing me joy and happiness that we were lucky to have each other. A friendship built on trust, shared values, respect and love.
Dear Ruth, you are my American mother, sister I never had and my best friend!
You tought me to how to let my father go, and today I have to let you go and fly.
May you rest in Peace !!!
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
MaryAnn and Jean
October 27, 2022
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Make a Donation
in RUTH FREY's name
How to support RUTH's loved ones
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 more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
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 moreWays to honor RUTH FREY'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