Ruth Etkin

Several years ago I had the opportunity to attend the Appalachian State Holocaust Symposium. I enjoyed the sessions, but the best part is I got to meet Ruth and Stan. Their sessions that summer helped me understand the Old Testament so much better, and Ruth became my go-to person when I needed something explained. I have many emails from Ruth where she gave me the Jewish background on a subject and she never tired of my questions. Ruth and I have shared many emails over the past years, and this summer it was a treat to get to see Ruth again at the Symposium. I had met a cantor-chef this summer at the American Library Association and brought her his cook book. She even told me about making a couple of the dishes. I know that Ruth loved Baby Shane and shared pictures with me. He is a sweet, special little boy, and she was so happy that he was named for Stan. Yesterday I attended the play the Diary of Anne Frank and a person from Boone was in the production. After the performance he shared with me that Ruth had passed. My family knows how special she was to me, and I will miss her cards and encouraging emails. I am so glad that opportunity came that one summer and I got to meet Ruth. I am blessed because of her friendship. My prayers are with you and in the days ahead.