Ruth Rosenblum Lewis

August 28, 1938 – May 7, 2025

Ruth Rosenblum Lewis, daughter of Bernard and Ida Rosenblum, died on May 7th. She is survived by her three children Jeffrey (Kristin), JoAnne (Gary), John (Jody) and seven grandchildren Ilissa (Matt), William (Laura), Alison, Anna, Maisy, Jane and Charley. Ruth is also survived by her sister Hazel Herzog (Bud), and niece and nephews Brad, Brian and Laura. Ruth was predeceased by her husband Stuart after 52 years of marriage and a life well lived in Ithaca, New York.

Ruth and Stu married in 1964. When Ruth moved to Ithaca she quickly became an integral part of the Lewis family retail business. Ruth could often be seen strolling the Ithaca Commons with her signature bouffant blonde hairdo and her fur coat during cold Ithaca winters. While Ruth enjoyed fashion and retail, her real passion was doting on Stu, demonstrating a partnership that would be the envy of any and all married people.

Ruth loved cooking for her family, and visitors would always leave with one of her famous bundt cakes. Her desire to nurture and feed her kids was so important, she once packed “Johnny’s favorite chicken” into her luggage (frozen) on a trip to visit him in California. When her luggage got lost, she had to admit what she had done and it became a family joke for many years. Thankfully, she laughed the hardest.

A day never went by when Ruth didn’t talk about how much she missed Stuart. Especially around the time of their anniversary, she would talk to her children about a life well lived, and as she put it, “a marriage made in heaven.”

The family will follow Ruthye’s wishes for a private graveside service. Please share condolences and memories with the family by posting on the Bangs Funeral Home guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Temple Beth-El, 402 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 or Faith and Family Hospice, 420 Lakeside Avenue, Marlborough, MA 01752.