Ruth Frankel

Ruth Frankel of Montclair, New Jersey passed away peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family, on December 31, 2023. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and friend to many, and touched and supported innumerable people during her well-lived 89 years. Born to immigrant parents, Joseph and Molly French, in Stamford, Connecticut, she graduated from Stamford High School in 1951 and attended Skidmore College and Katherine Gibbs College before moving to New York City to work for The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the performing rights organization. While living in New York, a mutual friend introduced her to Albert Frankel, a Mount Sinai Hospital surgical resident and Syracuse native who would become her husband and the love of her life. They were married for 57 years, until his passing in June, 2016. Together, they raised 3 children, and in 1965 to provide an enlightened, high-quality education, moved the family to Teaneck, New Jersey -- the first community in America to vote to desegregate its schools in 1964. There, in the shadow of the civil rights movement, Ruth's political activism took shape as a member of “Teaneck Together," the organization formed to foster community harmony and public school integration. An active member of the PTA, Ruth's love of the arts inspired her to begin an elementary school enrichment program bringing theater to students throughout the Teaneck school system. She had an innate style and grace, with legendary culinary skills, hosting lively dinner parties attended by a diverse mix of guests sharing robust discussions around politics, film, literature, and the changing social climate.

With a family move to Watchung, NJ. in the 1980s, she found new and important areas to activate her love of community and social justice. She became an active player with the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition, feeding the hungry and helping elevate the profile of hunger-related issues in the state. Her Jewish values inspired her to become a member of The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) as a grassroots advocate, and by protecting individual freedoms, her work helped improve the quality of life for women, children, and families. When Ruth and Albert moved to Montclair, New Jersey in 2003, she earned her BA at Montclair State University, focused on nutrition, and took a role writing restaurant reviews for New Jersey Success Magazine. She and Albert found a wonderful sense of community at Temple Sholom of West Essex, a synagogue that sparked new friendships, new learnings and meaningful spirituality as they became active members of the congregation. Ruth especially loved her role helping chair the synagogue's adult education program, researching and bringing on speakers to inspire and inform her beloved community.

Yet, it was her devotion to her children and grandchildren that provided Ruth with the greatest joy. Either leading or participating in holiday gatherings, family vacations, educational milestones, and private moments, she always shared her wisdom, spirit, love of culture and culinary innovation. She was a devoted friend and confidante to many, with friendships spanning decades and towns, organizations, and religious groups where she is remembered as a world traveler, cultural aficionado, NY Times crossword junkie and a terrific conversationalist.

Ruth Frankel is survived by: two daughters, Karen (partner Alexander Moller) Strauss, and Dr. Renee (partner John Skrypa) Frankel; son, Paul (Amy Hanna) Frankel; grandchildren, Rebecca (partner Connor Clark) Silverman, Liza Strauss, Hannah ( fiancé Sophie Trilling) Silverman, Juliet (fiancé Scott Berman) Strauss; sister, Nancy (Bill) Dubey and nephew Lon (Barbara) Dubey and niece Sharon Dubey.

Funeral services are at Temple Sholom of West Essex on January 3 at 10:30am, with burial at Mt Lebanon Cemetery, followed by shiva at the home of Renee Frankel.

Memorial contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to Temple Sholom of West Essex (www.sholom.net) or Planned Parenthood (www.plannedparenthood.org)