Obituary: Ruth Cohen Siegel
Ruth Cohen Siegel, 86 years young, passed away early Wednesday morning in Bloomfield Hills, MI at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Karen Siegel and David Propis. She was born and raised in Boston, MA to Sam and Fanny Getrya Cohen and was the middle of three daughters, all of whom were first-generation Americans. As a young adult, Ruth became involved in the Zionist 
Pioneer movement and remained a staunch Zionist her whole life. In the early 1950’s, she moved with her husband, Stanley Siegel, to Puerto Rico and became another kind of pioneer. She was the driving force behind the construction of the JCC de Puerto Rico, also known as Sharey Tzedek Synagogue. She collected money by sitting at a table near the gangway of cruise ships with a sign that said “Help us build a synagogue here.” From Puerto Rico, the family moved to Atlanta, GA in 1965 where she became active in Hadassah, Federation, NCJW, ORT, Senior University at Mercer University, AIPAC, CUFI, the symphony, opera and the Holocaust museum. She also transcribed books into braille. After 46 years in Atlanta, Ruth moved to be near her daughter in Michigan, where she felt she had returned to her roots, enjoying the four seasons and the lilac trees she loved growing up in Boston. Ruth is pre-deceased by her parents, Sam and Fanny Cohen, and her older sister, Carol Krems. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Kaufman (Alberto zl); her children: Morrie Siegel (Leigh), Randie Siegel and Karen Siegel (David Propis); and special niece, Jan (Brian) Channon. In addition, she leaves her grandchildren, Lillian and Sarah Siegel, and Dena and Sam Propis (Elyse); great-niece, Rachel Channon Miller (Zac); great-nephew, Daniel Channon; as well as Gari Fisher (Mark) and their children, Samantha Diaz (Daniel) and Oliver Fisher, and Greg Kaufman (Ellen) and their children Kayla and Daniel. The funeral was held Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Sign online guest book at www.edressler.com In lieu of flowers, please remember Ruth with donations to Hadassah, FIDF or the Holocaust Museum. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770) 451-4999
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