Ruth Shapiro: A life well lived

To view recording of Ruth’s funeral, please click here.

A link to view the interment service can be found here.

Ruth Shapiro passed away at age 90 on May 8, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

She was a rare bird; rare like a gemstone, and free like a bird to soar.  She was an artist, business trailblazer, teacher, spiritual seeker, leader, confidante. But most of all, she was a woman with a generous, welcoming, enormous heart.

Ruthie’s commitment to community, friends, family, beauty, and joy infused every aspect of her life. Whatever Ruthie did, she did with gusto. As an educator she used art to motivate students with learning challenges. In business she broke barriers, achieving positions and accolades traditionally reserved for men. In her communities she encouraged dialogue and sought opportunities for togetherness. Ruthie was not easily discouraged and always persevered when challenged, trusting her instincts and leading the way for others. Ruthie will always be remembered as a forward thinker. She freely shared her love of life, her commitment to lifelong learning, and her acceptance…no, her welcoming…of change.

Getting to know and spending time with Ruthie was a gift.  Ruthie and her husband Danny knew how to celebrate, and relishing life was central to their marriage. Guests at their home in Brewster entered a space that was curated to spark laughter and serve a feast for the eyes, taste buds and heart.

Ruthie was married to Danny Shapiro for 42 years prior to his death in 1998.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Ruthie’s love, encouragement, and wise counsel are among her enduring gifts to her children, Barry Shapiro (and wife Lois), Suzan Ushman (and husband Wayne) and Jeff Shapiro (and wife Valeria Indice); to her siblings, Tom Dokton (and partner Anita Waxman) and Ellen Dokton (and husband Stephen Schmidt); to her grandchildren Annie and Laura Shapiro, Benjamin and Dov Ushman; to her nieces and nephews, Rachel Doyne, Nicole Dunn, Fredda Zaiger, Ken Shapiro, Cindy Siagel, and Mark Shapiro.

How she lived her life was how she ended it: with dignity, grace, and love.

A funeral service followed by the burial will be held on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel at 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, followed by a meal of consolation at Temple Sinai at 25 Canton Street, Sharon.  The family will sit shiva on Monday, May 13, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the home of Suzan and Wayne Ushman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Am HaYam – Cape Cod Havurah or the Lower Cape Outreach Council.