Dr. Ruth Borenstein Heber

About

New York University

Ruth Heber Obituary

1935 - 2021
Dr. Ruth Borenstein Heber beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away on September 12, 2021. Ruth will be remembered for her indomitable spirit, her desire to help others and her love of life, friends and family. Ruth worked as a psychologist into her eighties and never lost her passion for helping others, touching the lives of countless patients and colleagues.

Ruth was a holocaust survivor who endured the horrors of the war at a very young age and somehow survived in both body and spirit. She was able to channel her life experiences into connecting with people professionally and on a personal level. Her practice included trauma treatment, where she was able help a diverse group of patients including other holocaust survivors, children of holocaust survivors, military veterans, first responders.

Ruth loved her family big and was a proud mother and grandmother. She seemed to particularly enjoy telling friends about the exploits of her grandchildren.

In the end, Ruth lost her brave battle to breast cancer. She was very appreciative of the care, love and support she received from family and friends.

Ruth was born in Poland on June 27, 1935 and is survived by her children, Ron, Sheldon and Lorraine, and her grandchildren, Jason, Alex, Jenna and Audrey.

Donations can be made to:

NYU:
NYU Breast Cancer Research

Or

Yad Vashem:

https://forms.yadvashem.org/tribute

A memorial service will be announced at a future time.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Sep. 21 to Sep. 22, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Heber

8 Entries

Barbara White

July 25, 2025

Ruth was my friend. We met at a Psychology conference in the 1980´s and formed a mutual warmth and fulfilling professional as well as personal connection.She was a marvelous human being! She had great compassion and understanding. She was a gift to all who knew her!

Joel Knoblauch

June 26, 2024

Dear Cousins,
I send my very late condolences on the passing of Ruth September 12, 2021. Ruth and i connected as distant DNA relatives on 23andme, then met in NYC , i think it was around APRIL 16, 2019.
We had a lovely but short chat. i very much intended to visit again; but COVID descended and life became a blur. I haven't travelled to MANHATTEN since Covid onset.
As if waking from a dream, i noticed that tomorrow was RUTH's birthday and. wanted to reach out to Ruth to wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY (born June 27, 1935).
Now i see Ruth has passed away.

I still send Happy Birthday Wishes; and i send my thanks for the short shared memories.

Love to all
Cousin JOEL KNOBLAUCH
READING, Pennsylvania, USA

Alex W

June 15, 2023

I just discovered the news about Dr Heber's passing. I wrote her a letter assuming she was still alive. She was a special woman and I hope her family finds this. My therapy work with her was truly life changing.

Maria Russo-Appel, M.D.

June 20, 2022

Your mother and grandmother was my supervisor at Mount Sinai Medical Center when I was a psychiatry resident in the 1990s. I will never be able to tell you what she meant to me. I still quote her 30 years later now when I am teaching. She was brilliant and kind to a young student. She taught me to be authentic with my patients. She led with love and that made a big difference in the doctor I am today. God bless you all. Her legacy lives on.

michael c iott

October 18, 2021

I have lost the dearest of friends. We became so close during the pandemic lockdown and she was such an inspiration. I learned many life lessons from her and am a better person from watching how she faced her burdens.

Scott and Amy Pollack

Planted Trees

Rosalia Cassar

September 25, 2021

My deepest sympathy to the family of Ruth Borenstein Heber. I am sorry for your loss. Sending you love. I have fond memories of Ruth, of her kindness and strong will. May her rest in peace.
Rosalia Cassar (Yoga class mate)

Kathy Hoffstadter-Thal

September 25, 2021

Dear Lorraine- your mother was very dear to me. I was one of the children of Holocaust survivors she treated and some years later, we formed a friendship. I have so many fond memories, her smile and how happy she always seemed to see me. She had a gift for making people feel special. I have a particular fond memory of meeting her one night for dinner near her apt. Our usual French restaurant was closed. I suggested we just get in the car and drive around until we find someplace nice. I found a "hip" Italian place and she was so happy. It seemed ThIs impromptu decision was an adventure for her. Once I took her to a Hassidish concert. She said "this is propaganda. I´m leaving" and she walked out. That was her spunky side. I miss her and always will. She was an important part of my life. Sending my condolences to you, your brothers and your families.
I would be interested in knowing if there will be a memorial service open to outsiders in the future.
Kathy

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