Ruth Herman

Ruth Steinhart Herman, 98, with a heart of gold, a true friend, devoted wife, and loving mother, passed away on Sunday, December 15, in her home at Eagle’s Trace in Katy, Texas. She is survived by her daughter – Roberta Herman Dietrich and her son-in-law Michael, as well as by Michael’s sister and brother-in-law, Caryn and Simon Ogier. She is also lovingly survived by her stepdaughter, Phyllis Leibowitz, stepson Ed Leibowitz, his wife Mary, and their son, Isaac Leibowitz. She was preceded in death by her true love Sandy Herman, to whom she was married for 50 years before his death in 2018. Also preceding her death were her adopted parents Bertha “Bert” and Jacob “Jake” Steinhart. Ruth was born on April 14, 1926, in Linden, New Jersey. At the age of 11, Ruth had lost both of her birth parents, Gussie and Samuel Goss. As an orphan, she lived in a children’s home in New Jersey until she was brought into the loving home of Bert and Jake Steinhart. In Bert and Jake, she had found a true family that loved, supported, and cherished her. In 1946, Ruth was officially adopted as Ruth Goss Steinhart. She loved traveling, spending time at the Jersey Shore, and creating lifelong friendships. She adored being a part of the Steinhart family reunions, where she felt loved and had a true sense of family. Ruth was a petite but strong teenager who was determined to be heard and enjoyed playing the cymbals in her high school band. As a young woman, she loved the theatre, reading, and cooking and was proud to have worked at the Mennen company in New Jersey. In the mid-1960s, Ruth joined a travel club, where she met Sandy Herman. On May 24, 1968, Ruth and Sandy were married by Rabbi Charles Kroloff in Westfield, New Jersey. In the mid-1970s, the Herman family moved to New Orleans and joined the Gates of Prayer synagogue, where Ruth became an energetic member of the temple sisterhood. She joined a bowling league, was an active member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, and became deeply engaged in the New Orleans community. Ruth and Sandy loved exploring the far reaches of the world together, and their travels took them to Italy, Costa Rica, Alaska, New Zealand, and Israel. While they were active in their adventures, their favorite place to get away was Aruba. They discovered this One Happy Island when they lived in Venezuela and would return there, every year, for decades. In November 2005, as they embarked on their golden years together, Ruth and Sandy moved from their home in Fondren Southwest and settled in Eagle’s Trace, where their zest for life and shared warmth put them in the center of that vibrant retirement community. We will miss you Ruth – but the vitality, love, caring, and giggles you brought to all our lives will always be with us. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: Temple Sinai (https://www.temple-sinai.org/), Temple Beth Torah (http://www.temple-beth-torah.org/giving/), or Camp Young Judaea – Texas (https://cyjtexas.org/donate). A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 19, 2024 in the Herman and Elaine Proler Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine Dr., Houston, Texas, 77055.

Ruth Herman

April 14, 1926 - December 15, 2024