Ruth Schreiber Fath
1937 – 2023
Ruth Schreiber Fath, born November 10, 1937, passed away on May 12, 2023 (Iyar 21, 5783) at the age of 85. She was the loving wife of Joseph Fath (z”l) for 32 years.
Ruth attended The Jewish Center of Princeton during her 30 years as a Princeton resident. In addition to her commitment to the Jewish Center, Ruth supported the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and served as chairperson of the Commission for the New Jersey Children’s Trust Fund, whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Ruth earned her undergraduate degree through a joint program at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. As a college student, she also spent a year in Israel, working with the Institute for Youth Leaders from Abroad. In Israel she studied Hebrew language and literature, taught new immigrants to Israel, and spent several months on the kibbutz Tirat Zvi. After returning to the U.S., Ruth earned her MSW from Hunter, and later her degree in psychoanalysis from the Psychoanalytic Training Institute of the New York Freudian Society. She built a thriving practice in New York City and continued practicing for several years after she and Joe moved to Princeton.
Generous to the core, Ruth supported her stepchildren, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews in her constant encouragement to pursue education and to excel at whatever they set their minds to. And as a good Jewish grandma, she doted on her grandchildren! She rejoiced at family and friends’ marriages, births, and other celebratory occasions, and shared compassionately in others’ sorrows when they happened. Most especially, she shared in the joy of her husband Joe’s art and writing accomplishments.
Aside from her community engagement, Ruth loved going to museums, the opera, theater, and travelling with Joe. Together they traveled across Europe, to Israel, and to South Africa. She still has many friends across the continents.
Ruth will be so very missed by her brothers Burton Schreiber and Sidney Schreiber, stepsons Dan Fath and Jon Fath (Lucie), stepdaughters Rebecca Singer and Deborah Fath, granddaughters Harmony Till (Jeff), and Jesse Singer (Jose), grandsons Samuel Francis-Fath (Kelsey), Maxwell Fath (Michael Hebert), Dylan Fath (Zachary Nollet), Darius Salehipour, Zachary Salehipour, great-grandson Ethan Till and great-granddaughter Phoebe Francis-Fath, nephews Stephen Schreiber, David Schreiber (Carol Stutz) and great-niece Molly Schreiber, Gary Schreiber (Julie) and great-niece Miriam, Keith Schreiber (Naalla) and great-niece Lena and great-nephew Noam, and Joshua Schreiber (Sarah) and great-nephews Abraham and Theodore, nieces Ronda Schreiber (Jack Goldberg), Annie Schreiber, Karen Schreiber (Jacque), and Alissa Schreiber (Martin Williams) and great-niece Genna Williams, and by Shirley Verneuil, Ruth’s devoted and compassionate caregiver for the past six years, as well as her many dear friends.
Funeral services are Thursday, May 18 at 9:30 am at The Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Burial will follow at Princeton Cemetery.
Shiva: Family & Friends are welcome to visit at Ruth’s home, 90 Olden Lane, after the internment until 7 pm. Afternoon/Mincha service at 2:30 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Jewish Center of Princeton (TheJewishCenter.org)
For condolences please visit Ruth’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel.