Ruth Lasky Oppenheim

lived the previous 62 years in El Paso, Texas. How she got here is a

classic, American story. Her ancestors came from one of those

impoverished countries in Central Eastern Europe where life was hard. Her

grandparents were teenagers whose families put them on a boat to the

new world—not knowing if they would see one another again. These new

Americans came to the U.S. with hopes of a better life. Through their hard

work, thrift, and diligence they created Ruth’s future opportunities.

Ruth Lasky Oppenheim was born in New York in 1923 and lived

through the Great Depression and World War II. At a time when few

women could do so, she earned a college degree in Biochemistry and went

to work in New York City where she met her husband, Clarence

Oppenheim of El Paso and where they married in 1955. Her first extended

view of the Chihuahuan desert was after her honeymoon, when they came

home to El Paso for good. No one knows what she must have thought

when she saw the vast desert and the city in the pass between the

mountains, but she took them on and for the rest of her life devoted herself

to raising and educating their four children, building their home, planting

trees and raising vegetable and flower gardens in the hot rocky earth.

Ruth had a competitive spirit that manifested itself in her shrewd

Scrabble and Backgammon tactics. Until the very end, she was a fighter

with a strong spirit and remarkable resilience.

Upon becoming an empty nester, she pursued many, diverse

continuing education classes studying French, Italian, literature, philosophy

and the arts. She also tracked current events and politics, holding strong

opinions on many issues. Most of all, she believed we all had a duty to

make the world a better place. Her philanthropy generously supported the

El Paso community, scientific research, environmental causes and Jewish

Communities both local and national.

She is survived by her four children: Judith Oppenheim (Bruce

Blackwell), Alice London (Jack), Robert Oppenheim and Alan Oppenheim

(Wanda) and her two grandchildren Jacob and Cole Oppenheim. She is

also survived by several nephews and nieces and their families.

She was predeceased by her parents, Abraham and Lillian Lasky; her

cherished brother Marvin Lasky and his wife Sophie; and her husband,

Clarence J. Oppenheim.

The family wishes to thank her devoted care givers Rosalia, Monica,

and Clara. Also, the family thanks Drs. Arianna Bender, Dr. Carmela

Morales and RN Carolina Castillo for personal attention in Ruth’s final days.

Services will be held graveside at the Temple Mt. Sinai Cemetery on

Monday January 22, 2018 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the

Jewish Federation of Greater El Paso (jewishelpaso.org) or Temple Mt

Sinai (templemtsinai.com) or the charity of your choice.