Ruth Markowitz
MARKOWITZ: Ruth Markowitz, 94, passed away on Jan. 1, 2023. She was the beloved wife of Morton Markowitz for 71 years. Ruth was born in Pittsburgh on Jan. 30, 1928, daughter of Morris and Diane Boksenbaum. She was the valedictorian of her high school class at Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill and attended the University of Pittsburgh on a full academic scholarship, where she trained as a teacher and was also a docent at the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms. After college she taught business classes at various schools in Pittsburgh. Ruth spent most of her adult life helping and visiting with the sick, impaired and elderly. She was very committed to and involved in various organizations in the Pittsburgh Jewish community, serving as president of the Hillel Academy PTA, the Poale Zedeck Synagogue Sisterhood, and, for 10 years, the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Jewish Association on Aging. In her spare time, Ruth loved to bake, cook and entertain in her home. She spent many summers with her children at the outdoor pool of the Jewish Community Center. She was an avid reader and enjoyed going to the symphony and ballet with Mort. Family came first for Ruth. She and Mort never refused an invitation to visit with family, and they traveled many times from Pittsburgh to Rhode Island, Chicago and New York for simchas and to stay involved in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Ruth is survived by her husband, Morton, of Pittsburgh; her children, Michael Markowitz and his wife, Deborah, of Brooklyn; David Markowitz and his wife, Surah Leah, of Far Rockaway, New York; Marian and her husband, Barry Bessler, of Providence, Rhode Island; and Marcia and her husband, Scott Dodelson, of Chicago; and her grandchildren, Erica, Marcy, Ora Lee, Yoni, Avi, Max, Talia, Matthew, Ilana, David and Coby. She was predeceased by her brother, Mervin Boksenbaum, and her granddaughter Danielle. Contributions in her name may be made to Congregation Poale Zedeck or the charity of your choice. PJC
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