Ruth Spindell Rubenstein
May 26, 2025

RUTH SPINDELL RUBENSTEIN: Ruth Spindell Rubenstein, age 98, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, May 26, 2025.

She is survived by her daughters, Olivia Loeb Burten (married to Richard Burten) and Harriet Wendy Loeb (married to Thomas Fields); her grandchildren, Erica Lynn Burten and Sarah Burten Birenbach (married to Jeff Birenbach); and her adored great-grandchildren, Isaac Hochman, Crimson Birenbach, and Eden Hochman. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Ray Muldorf.

Born in the Bronx, NY, in 1927 to Anna and Harold Spindell, she also had a younger sister, Muriel Muldorf, now deceased. She came to Pittsburgh in 1944 to join the Cadet Nurse Corps training program at Duquesne University. This move launched a nursing career of commitment and compassion.  She cared for returning soldiers during World War II.  Always committed to public service, Ruth later traveled to Africa to study healthcare through an NYU graduate program.  She also consulted with the robotics program at Carnegie Mellon that was created to help older people.

Ruth and her family spent many happy summers together at Copake Lake, NY, a place that held a special spot in Ruth's heart. She was also an active and involved member of the Rodef Shalom Congregation, the Ladies Hospital Aide Society, and the Westmoreland Country Club, where she built lifelong friendships and was known for her commitment, warmth, and generosity.

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Visitation one and one half hour prior to service (9 AM - 10:30 AM). Interment Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings on Hudson, NY. 

Contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to the Duquesne University School of Nursing, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282 or Sivitz Hospice and Palliative Care, 200 JHF Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15217 or the charity of your choice. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Dear Olivia and Harriet & family, I was saddened to hear of your mom's passing. Our families lived on the 1200 dead-end block of Denniston Ave. for three decades. Your mom supported my door-to-door Girl Scout Cookie sales. I was one of a few neighborhood kids granted access through her yard so I could get to my Aunt Harriet and Uncle John's house next door but on the cul-de-sac of Beechwood Court. Once I had children of my own, your mom and I developed a friendship as colleagues with a passion for shared interests i.e. 25 years as part of the Rodef Shalom family, its Sisterhood, and its board of directors. She actively supported community programs & initiatives, especially during the decade I worked with the Jewish Domestic Abuse Task Force of Greater Pittsburgh. As a board member of the Ladies Hospital Aide Society, she supported one of their comprehensive teen dating violence prevention campaigns which reached thousands of Pittsburgh high school students as well as prevention programs for clergy. Whatever the topic, I could depend on Ruth to give her honest opinion. For that and so much more I admired your mom and am grateful that our lives crossed over six decades. May her memory always be a blessing. She will be greatly missed.

Sending sincere condolences. Ruth & my mother Violet were good friends through Rodef Shalom & neighbors in The Kenmaur.

Dear Family, I met Ruth while working at Montefiore Hospital in my youth,and years later at Ladies Hosp Aide. She was the nicest woman and so classy and fun to be around. I was sorry to read she had passed away as she was always a joy to run into in the community My husband,Dr Arthur Levine,was also so impressed with Ruth and just 6 or seven years ago all danced together at Ladies Hosp Aide dinners. May she always be a blessed memory. Linda Melada

So sorry for your deep loss.Adored your Mom and knew her through Rodef Shalom.

To Olivia and Wendy, I have known your Mother for many years. First as sister to my college classmate, Muriel Spindell, later as a fellow volunteer with Ladies Hospital Aid Society originally the Auxiliary to Montefiore Hospital. We were in touch inthe last few years at Rodef Shalom Congregation and most recently regarding the Tsadi *(wise ones) Council (a project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. Your Mother joined me and other 90 +year olds to talk about our long lives, past and present. When we last talked her care-giver told me she was sorry not to make our May get-together. Ruth was a thoughtful, bright and caring friend. I will miss her. May her memory be a blessing to all those who knew and loved her. Fondly, Lois Glazer Michaels 412-906-0370 pgk9c