Ruth Bornstein Davis

Ruth Davis died peacefully at Novant Hospice on September 12, 2016 after a long illness and a satisfying life of 78 years. She was born in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of the late Sylvia and Joseph Bornstein. She is survived by her adored husband of 59 years, Stephen; sons, Lewis and Scott; as well as three grandchildren, Harris, Alaina and Wade. She is also survived by her brother, Bernard Bornstein of NY City.

Ruth graduated from Brooklyn College (1958) and Marywood University (1974), and attended Duke University (1958-60). She managed the United Methodists Church's Elizabeth Church Manor campus, Daughters of Sarah Nursing Facility for the Jewish community in Albany, NY and facilities for Broome and Chemung counties in NY State. She is the author of The Nursing Home Handbook: A Guide to Living Well, and taught as adjunct faculty at Elmira and Marywood Colleges.

Ruth was an early feminist, introducing the values of freedom and respect in all her work and relationships. Although trained as a social worker, she soon entered facility management, finding ways to improve the social and psychological lives of patients, and the work and satisfaction of staff. Hospice was a central effort, and she was able to introduce a formal Hospice organization to working in a nursing home, the first such cooperative effort in New York State.

Later, she served on the Board of Directors of the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Broome County Community Services Board and the Mental Health Subcommittee, Family and Children's Society, Long-term Care Administrators Organization, Hospice Committee (St. Joseph's Hospital), Rotary Service Clubs in Albany and Vestal, NY, and later as a volunteer counselor in the Senior Corps of Retired Executives. In 1975, she organized a volunteer, professional 24/7 rape counseling service in hospital emergency rooms in Elmira, NY.

A service will be held from the graveside at 12 noon Friday, September 16 at the Hebrew Cemetery in Charlotte. The Davis family will receive friends at their residence on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Temple Beth El, 5101 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226, or Novant Health Buddy Kemp Cancer Support Center, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204.