Jean Edith Rubin died on April 12. She was 96.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Rubin moved to Milwaukee in 1982, 15 years after the death of her husband, Philip Rubin.
Rubin worked as a legal secretary and spent many summers as the “camp bubby” at the Steve and Shari Sadek Family Camp Interlaken JCC in Eagle River, where she ran the canteen, mended clothes, handled the mail, tended to homesick children and performed various other duties.
“The teenage kids would drool for her French toast,” recalled her son-in-law, Hazzan Carey Cohen of Milwaukee, who is married to Rubin’s daughter, Sharon Cohen.
Starting at age 70, Rubin made 19 trips to Israel (of 3-6 months in length) as a volunteer with B’nai B’rith, during which she painted army barracks and tanks, helped senior citizens and distributed food, among other activities.
Cohen fondly recalled a picture of Rubin in Israel, knitting with a gas mask on during the Persian Gulf War. Rubin was presented with the Kesselman Award for her various volunteer efforts.
“No matter how old she was … 80s, 96 … it was always going on 70,” said Cohen. “She never let anything get her down.”
Rubin was also a member of Na’amat USA-Milwaukee Chapter and Hadassah-Milwaukee Chapter. Besides knitting and volunteering, she enjoyed reading, learning, gardening and spending time with her family.
Rubin is further survived by three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Blane Goodman Funeral Service, LLC. Hazzan Carey Cohen officiated burial services in Clifton, N.J., on April 14 and at a memorial service at Chai Point Senior Living Apartment Complex on April 16.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bubby’s Camp Interlaken JCC Fund, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53217.
Loading ...