Robyn Anne Rutman

Robyn Anne Rutman, age 76, of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Born on August 13, 1946 in New York, New York, she was the daughter of the late Irving Newman and the late Vita Schader Newman. Robyn never lost her love for New York City, but she was proud to call Raleigh home for five decades and it was where she raised her two daughters and made countless friends.

Robyn was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, sister, and friend. She nurtured those she loved by cooking for them, as was apparent by her large cookbook collection. She loved music, and even as Lewy Body Dementia made it more difficult for her to remember and communicate, she was still able to sing her favorite Neil Diamond songs word for word. Robyn was a longtime member of Temple Beth Or and she spent many hours volunteering there after retiring from her long career as an insurance claims adjuster.

She is survived by her daughter Valerie Creager (husband Dave) of Apex, NC; daughter Leslie Russ (husband Doug) of Apex, NC; her grandchildren Kylan, Gage, Tanner, and the triplets Austin, Madeleine, and Aidan; her brother Steven Newman (wife Rosemary); niece Dawn Singer (husband Scott) and nephew Scott Newman (wife Stephanie). She is also survived by her sweet puppy Biscuit, who will continue to reside with her daughter Valerie’s family. Robyn was preceded in death by husbands Daniel Rutman (2003) and Thomas Tompkins (2022).

Valerie and Leslie wish to thank Tara Lowman and the staff at the Retreat at Cary Corner for providing wonderful care and a beautiful home for their mom during the last ten months.

A graveside service will take place on Monday, February 20th at 3:00pm at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in Robyn’s name to Temple Beth Or or Dementia Alliance of NC.

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