Ruth Zweck

Ruth Edna Zweck, age 90, of Pompton Plains, NJ, and formerly of Las Vegas, NV, Monroe, NY, and Northvale, NJ, died peacefully on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Born in New York City to Archibald and Edna (née Kaht) Collins, Ruth was raised with a deep sense of compassion and purpose-qualities that would shape her life as a devoted mother and grandmother, a skilled and caring nurse, and a passionate advocate for both people and the planet.
While working as a school nurse shortly after earning her BSN from Columbia University, Ruth met Donald James Feeney, a teacher at the same school. Their connection was instant, and the two soon married, beginning a life of adventure, family, and service. They started their family in New York City, welcoming two children, Donald and Diane, before settling in Northvale, NJ, where they would raise five children in total-Scott, Michael, and Thomas followed.
During the early years, Ruth stayed home to raise her children, providing them with love, home-cooked meals, and even haircuts. However, she never stopped learning and growing. While juggling the demands of motherhood, she earned her Master's of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University, and returned to nursing, initially as a school nurse, then in several RN roles including team lead and admissions at Rockland State Psychiatric Hospital. She found great purpose in this work, often serving vulnerable individuals with the same quiet strength she gave her own family, and supported the nursing field in other ways including serving on the Advisory Board of Dominican College School of Nursing and the Executive Board of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing.
Ruth found joy in the outdoors and cherished family hikes throughout Harriman State Park. She made memories out of simple moments-packing cans of Hi-C fruit drink for the trail and encouraging her kids to fill their empties with wild blueberries, raspberries or blackberries, which she would later transform into homemade pies and preserves.
Ruth loved the United States and in particular supported its military. She celebrated the military service of her sons-one of whom graduated from West Point, and another who served 23 years, including two Iraq deployments, in the Army Reserve. She was also a tireless environmentalist, with longstanding support for and membership in the National Wildlife Federation, the Audubon Society, and local pet rescues.
In 1983, Ruth called upon her strength and resilience as a new widow and single mother when her husband Donald died unexpectedly. In time, she found love again with Robert M. Zweck, whom she married in 1992. The couple made their home in Las Vegas, where Ruth continued her work in psychiatric nursing (clinical psychiatric nursing roles at Mojave Mental Health Services and Montevista Hospital).
One of her lifelong passions was tennis. Extremely competitive on the court, even during practice, she played into her mid-80s. Even as the second oldest player in her tennis league she maintained a winning record until 2019 when she left Las Vegas for full time life on the East Coast.
Ruth also loved the fine arts, in particular music and painting, and was an avid pianist and skilled painter. She traveled extensively throughout the US, and also visited Europe and the Far East.
Above all, Ruth loved being a mother and grandmother. Her legacy is one of fierce love, quiet strength, sharp wit, and an unwavering commitment to care-whether it was for her family, her patients, her community, or the natural world.
Ruth is survived by her children- Donald Feeney and his wife Marianne, Diane Mateo and her husband Al, Scott Feeney and his wife Kathie, Michael Feeney and his wife Dana, and Thomas Feeney; by her grandchildren- Kaitlin & Kimberly; Dylan, Lauren & Thomas; Catherine, Aidan & Daniel; Collin & Hudson; Josephine, Erin & Thomas; and her great-grandson- Carter.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Donald J. Feeney in 1983, her brother Thomas Collins in 2004, her grandson Patrick Feeney, in 2007, and her second husband, Robert Zweck, in 2014.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to one or both of the following charities is greatly appreciated - Alzheimer's Association (Ruth Zweck tribute page); or National Wildlife Federation, or The Nature Conservancy. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth, please visit our floral store.