Ruth Lasner Wachspress, 95, of the Bronx, New York, passed away on August 16th, 2022 of complications from Covid. She spent the latter years of her life living at Sedgebrook in Lincolnshire, Illinois.

Ruth was born on July 16, 1927 to Sarah and Samuel Lasner in New York, N.Y. After graduating from James Monroe High School in 1943, Ruth went on to work as a Secretary for ORT (The Organization for Rehabilitation Through Training.) ORT helped impoverished Jews in Europe. Its work focused on creating vocational and technical schools across the world in the later twentieth century.

In 1950, she met Melvin Wachspress.They wed on August 19, 1951 (She appreciated recognition of birthdays, anniversaries and other joyous occasions so please toast to her 71st wedding anniversary on August 19th.) In 1954, Eric was born and 3 ½ years later Ruth gave birth to a baby girl, Deborah.

Ruth was a very loyal and dedicated wife and homemaker. She was a woman of routine and Tuesday will always be remembered as tuna casserole night as will Fridays alternating between broiled chicken or brisket.

She cherished two things throughout her long life. Those two things were her faith and her family. She grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family, the daughter of parents who immigrated to the U.S.A. from Eastern Europe in the early 1900’s. Her father and his brothers were furriers and Ruth carried on that eye for aesthetics and fabric. She was an accomplished seamstress and would spend countless hours poring over binders with fabric samples and examining reams of fabric. All the while with a tape measure necklace and a pincushion close by. In later years she ventured into the world of crafts fairs. She designed and made gorgeous macrame wall hangings which are being enjoyed until this day.

Ruth was an observant Jewish woman for her entire life.She followed the rules of Kashruth, rid the house of Chametz during Passover and was careful to always have a Baggie of Traif utensils for ‘Take Home Chinese Food Night.’ (That was Saturday Night.)

Ruth will be known by her family and friends for being a woman of humility, genuineness and selflessness. She was always present for family and friends and had her hand outstretched to all.

Ruth is predeceased by her parents Sarah and Sam Lasner, and her two brothers Julie Lesner and Dave Lessner. She is survived by her son Eric Wachspress (Elise Wachspress), daughter Deborah Wachspress, grandchildren Megan Wachspress (Nathan Naze), Joshua Wachspress (Ann Lucena), Sam Wachspress, Aviel Fischer-Wachspress, Ashira Fischer-Wachspress and great-grandchildren Rosie and Teddy.

There will be a funeral service held at Beth Israel Cemetery- Woodbridge, New Jersey.on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ. The service will be simultaneously live streamed on Ruth's page at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to ORT America www.ortamerica.org or Hadassah www.hadassah.org