Francine Ruh

To know Fran was to love her. Francine Ruh, beloved sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas on April 29, 2025, at the age of 78, surrounded by the love and warmth of her family. Fran was a proud New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx to Irene and Arthur Schlisselberg. She stayed true to her roots her entire life. After graduating from Columbus High School, she went on to spend more than 20 years working as a counselor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She had a gift for listening, a calming presence, and a wonderful sense of humor that helped people feel at ease whether they were friends, family, colleagues, or anyone lucky enough to have known her. Fran had a deep love for animals, especially her cats. Over the years she supported countless animal organizations and volunteered at a no-kill shelter. Her home was always a safe, loving space for her four-legged friends. In May of 2024, Fran made her big move to Houston to be closer to family. It turned out to be a joyful and loving chapter in her life. She settled into Belmont Village Assisted Living and quickly became the heart of the community. Fran was never one to stay tucked away in her apartment—she was out and about, playing bingo, doing tai chi, chatting with neighbors, and always making people laugh. Her energy and enthusiasm were truly something to behold, and you could always spot her wearing her big, sparkly earrings, cat tops, and a smile. She was a pistol! Fran never lost her spark, even after her cancer diagnosis. We called her the Energizer Bunny as she kept living life with such grace, strength, and positivity. She didn’t let the illness define her, she kept living, loving, and laughing through it all. It was incredible to watch her navigate this new life. She especially adored spending time with her great-nieces, Addie and Charlee. They lit up her world, and the feeling was mutual. We were lucky enough to have had one last visit with Aunt Frannie, one that was filled with love, laughter, and joy. We will treasure those moments forever. Fran was the kind of person who made life lighter by just being in it. Her warmth, her wit, her compassion—they were gifts to everyone around her. She made us laugh. She made us feel loved. And she made the world a better place. We will miss her more than words can say. We want to send special thanks to the incredible people at Belmont Village and MD Anderson for their kindness and for the compassionate care shown to Fran this past year. And to our wonderful family and friends who have given us much love and support throughout this journey. Fran is survived by her sister, Marlene, brother-in-law, Allen, nephew, Ajay, niece-in-law, Chloe, great-nieces, Charlee, Addie, and Sadie, great-nephew, Cory, and Jodie and Tara, all of Houston. She is now reunited with her parents, Irene and Arthur, and her aunts, uncles, and cousins. A graveside service will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:30 am at Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. A celebration of her life will be held immediately after the funeral service at Belmont Village Assisted Living, 7667 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77063. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fran’s memory to MD Anderson Cancer Center, www.mdanderson.org, or the ASPCA, www.aspca.org — two causes that meant so much to her. We will always love you, Frannie, and you will be greatly missed.

Francine Ruh

August 18, 1946 - April 29, 2025