Ruth Hirschfeld
Ruth Hirschfeld
Ruth Hirschfeld

Obituary of Ruth E. Hirschfeld

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Ruth Elinor Hirschfeld passed peacefully on 02/09/2018 at age 97 in her home with her children present after a two month illness with aspiration pneumonia.  Ruth was a resident of Martinez for 47 years.  She was born in Detroit, Michigan in October 1920.  Ruth was a veteran of WWII having enlisted in the Marine Corps and serving at Cherry Point, North Carolina.  It was there she met her husband Herbert W. Hirschfeld.  They were married June 1946.  They lived in Cudahy, Wisconsin for several years with Herb’s Mother Tessie who Ruth said was a lovely woman.  Ruth and Tessie were very fond of each other.  When the Korean War broke out Herb was recalled to active service and decided to make the Marine Corps his career. 

Ruth was a military wife and mother.  Ruth and Herb had five children.  The family lived on several military bases on the east coast until 1963 when Herb was transferred to Camp Pendleton in Southern California.  In 1970 the family moved to Martinez after Herb retired from service.  Ruth was a Scout Leader; she had all her children in scouts.  Ruth was active in the PTA, and a long time member of the Martinez garden club and Alphas of Walnut Creek.  Herb preceded Ruth in death unexpectedly in 1978.  Ruth decided to return to school and at age 62 obtained her BA degree in Sociology from Cal Berkeley. 

For 20 years Ruth was a volunteer tax preparer at the Martinez Senior Center, participating in the AARP Tax-Aide Program.  Ruth also traveled extensively with friends and family to England, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Greece, and many other European countries as well as Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, and various states.  Ruth loved traveling, flower gardening, playing bridge, finding treasures at thrift stores, reading mystery novels, socializing with friends, and hearing what her grandchildren were up to.

Ruth is survived by her 5 children: Carol Horowitz and son-in-law Joel, Pamela Hirschfeld, Deborah Alexander and son-in-law Dennis, Megan Pearson, and Herbert F. Hirschfeld; and her 4 grandchildren Sarah Horowitz, Ryan Alexander, Rachel Horowitz, and Ian James Pearson.

Services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church.  Please, no flowers or donations are needed, but if you feel you must, in lieu of flowers donations can be made to:

Salvation Army, Concord Corps Donation Processing Center, PO Box 60009, Prescott, AZ 86304-6009

Or

St Anthony Foundation, 150 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102

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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Tradition Care Funeral Service
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Ruth Hirschfeld

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Ruth Hirschfeld

1920 - 2018

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