Ruth Loewenstein

Funeral Date and Time:

Wednesday, August 09, 2023 at 12:00 pm

Funeral Service Information:

Ruth Ann Loewenstein, MT (ASCP), October 4, 1943—August. 6, 2023. Ruth was the beloved daughter of Werner Leo Loewenstein, MD, and Hazel Anderson Loewenstein, PhD; and dear friend of David Evans, MD, the love of her life; all of blessed memory. Ruth was born and reared in Terre Haute, IN. The day after she graduated from Northwestern University, she interviewed with Pan American Airways, which accepted only college graduates as flight attendants. Ruth’s love of travel was fulfilled by her years working for Pan Am. Living in New York City put Europe at her back door. Coral Gables, FL enabled her to visit all of South America. San Francisco opened up the Far East. One of her most moving experiences from the early 1970s was taking U.S. Army soldiers to Viet Nam, laughing and joking, eager for their first wartime encounter. Returning flights were filled with exhausted seasoned soldiers who just wanting to sleep. Ruth described how eerie quiet replaced boisterous laughter. Thus, the flight attendants did not have much to do. When a back injury ended her career as a flight attendant, Ruth returned to Chicago and to school, earning a certificate in microbiology. She worked as a clinical microbiologist at several Chicago hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, where she served as the Laboratory Manager. Never content to stay still, she also became a paralegal. Family and friends will collectively remember her kindness, love of travel and adventure, independence, sense of humor, love of opera and symphony, and loyalty and love of family. Not to be missed: her warrior spirit that bravely fought the demon cancer, which battle ended with her peaceful passing. Upon retirement, Ruth volunteered for a variety of nonprofits, including World Wings International, the philanthropic organization of former Pan Am Flight Attendants, serving as Recording Secretary; and Pan Am Historical Foundation, as Registrar. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, her years as a volunteer docent at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie were especially meaningful to her. She was also active on the Board of the Home Owners Association of her condo building. She is survived by her sister, Miriam (Richard) Zimmerman; her brother, Paul (Jody Kaufman) Loewenstein; cousins Michael (Hana) Loewenstein, Mark (Linda) Loewenstein, and David Loewenstein of blessed memory; and many other relatives. To honor Ruth's memory, donations may be made to World Wings International, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, or the charity of your choice. May her memory be for a blessing

Funeral Provider:

Lakeshore Jewish Funerals

Clergy:

Rabbi Nancy Landsman

Interment:

Zion Gardens Rosemont Park Cemetery

Shiva:

Cucina Biaggio; 7319 W. Lawrence Avenue; Harwood Heighs