Ruth Weston

Ruth Weston, 94, of Land O Lakes, passed away on August 18, 2023. She is survived by her 4 daughters, Ellyn Gamberg (Lloyd), Barbara Jacobs (Dave), Lori Shaneyfelt (Dan z"l) and Donna Gray (Scott), and son in law, Jeff Nolke (Arlene z"l). She is also survived by grandchildren, Danielle Gray, Jamie Gray, Hilary Shaneyfelt, Ashley Oswald (Chase), Brandon Shaneyfelt, Jacob Rosenfeld (Heather), Alyson Stern (Eric), Evan Lipschutz (Lauren), Kari Selander (Crosby), Brooke Ruhe (Eric), Melissa Nolke, and Jill Nolke.

She also left a legacy of 12 great grandchildren and numerous special family and friends, who became her own - Diane Schumacher, Lauren White (Andy) and Charlotte Hicks. Ruth was born in Brooklyn in 1929, where she was raised in an Orthodox jewish household with her beloved parents, Jenny (z"l) and Daniel Starr (z"l). She was married to Irwin Katz ( z"l). Life was not always easy for Ruth, but she moved back to Tampa over 10 years ago to be closer to her family and create more beautiful and cherished memories. Ruth was an active member of the Jewish Community, where she taught Yiddish classes at the JCC up until recently. She also created a Yiddish music group, where she was a star! The Chabad Lubavitch of Tampa Bay welcomed her to her new community.

She was honored as 8 over 80 by the Tampa Jewish Federation in 2019.

The members of the Tampa Mahjong community will always remember her for her wit and superb Maj skills (not to mention her competitive nature at the table). But her family was her biggest accomplishment. She loved them fiercely. Up until her last days, she recieved texts, emails, calls and daily words of encouragement from all.
She will always be remembered for her compassion, spunk, special personality, and for being a force of love and energy. Our hearts are broken and we will miss her always.

Her service will take place on Monday, August 21, 2pm at Kol Ami 3919 Moran Road, followed by a graveside service at Gan Shalom. Shiva to follow Monday August 21 - 24, details can be provided from family.

Condolences can be made online below

As Grandma Ruth says, do a mitzvah every day!