Public Aannouncement

Dr. Lisa Ruden Earle, 93 years old, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday September 22^nd 2013.

She is survived by her 3 children - Leonard Ruden, David Ruden, & Julia Ruden; her daughter-in-law Pam Ruden, 4 Step Sons - James Earle, Richard Earle, Timothy Earle, & Michael Earle; 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grand children.

Funeral service will be held at Temple Israel of Highlands County, 1305 Temple Israel Drive on Tuesday September 24^th at 10 AM 

Graveside service will be held immediately following in Ft. Lauderdale 3:00 PM at Evergreen Historic Cemetery, 1300 S.E. 10^thAve., Ft Lauderdale, 33315

Buses will be provided for those who need transportation to Evergreen Historic Cemetery in Ft Lauderdale.

Buffet will follow graveside service at the Sheraton Ft. Lauderdale Beach Hotel, 1140 Sea Breeze Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale 33316

Buses will return to Sebring by evening.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Temple Israel of Highland’s County at the above address, in honor and memory of Dr. Lisa Ruden Earle.

Passing the word

From: Dave R
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2013 8:57 PM
Subject: Dr. Lisa Ruden Earle

Hello all,

  I have copied as many people as I have in my email address book, but I know it is not all. Please pass the news as you are able.  

My mother, Lisa Ruden Earle passed away earlier this afternoon, at the life fulfilled age of 93.  She was resting and comfortable at home, surrounded by daughter Julie, and son Lenny.  I was in the middle of making travel arrangements to fly down when I heard the news. 

 This was generally expected as she had a month ago halted medications for her condition and signed up for Hospice.  Over the following 4 or 5 weeks, her medication side effects departed, and while still fatigued on and off through out the day, she did very very well, surprising everyone with her renewed vibrance for life, visiting with family frequently, and even swimming a couple times.  As the doctors had predicted, her blood count dropped to a threshold low level and her condition turned downwards very quickly at the end.  Last Wednesday night she complained of neck and shoulder pain keeping her awake.  A strong pain killer helped put the pain down and she slept well.  Thursday was mostly normal (such as had become her normal), but with a somewhat increased level of fatigue.  Overnight, the neck and shoulder pain returned at an increased level.  She was thankful to have small doses of morphine on hand from Hospice.  Friday she was very tired and remained in bed for the day.  Saturday was more of the same.  She had not eaten for several days by then, and had very little water - she was mostly sleeping.  Finally early Sunday afternoon, she quietly passed.  

  We are all deeply grieved.  But we wanted to be sure to reach out to all of you as we are able, to let you know the news.  She loved and enjoyed knowing every one of you, in the various and interesting ways she knew you.  As do I. 

All our love to you.

---Dave, Julie, Lenny R.

Merrie Meyers

From: Merrie Meyers
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2013 6:01 PM
To: Alan Levy
Cc: Julie Ruden
Subject: Lisa

Dear Marsha and Alan,

Lisa passed away this afternoon. She was 93.

She's begun to fail about a month or so ago. She had a type of cancer that ABC Anchor Robin Roberts had been fighting, MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It's a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as pre-leukemia. Although, because of her age, she was not able to have the surgery to replace her bone marrow, she'd been doing quite well with regular transfusions to keep her blood counts stable. Recently, though, the transfusions had stopped having a positive effect. She's been in hospice care for the better part of a week, however, was strong and alert enough to send out emails regarding a potential hacking of her Facebook page. (Vintage Lisa, no?).

I spoke to Julie this afternoon. She passed peacefully at home in Lake Placid. Lenny is there now, and David is on his way. There will be a short service in Lake Placid and then the family will come down here for a graveside ceremony at Evergreen, where she will be laid to rest in the family's plot, next to Simon and their daughter, Susie. I don't know the particulars of the Ft. Lauderdale timeline, but Julie is thinking things will roll out later this week.

I will keep you posted as to the details of the service and the Shiva. Julie wants to have a Shiva at a local hotel since there are so many people who knew and loved her. Although Donnie McCloskey is gone, there should be enough of the "old gang" that will come to remember.

After all, she came to this country as a teenager, not even finishing high school. After Simon died, as a single mom, she dabbled in the arts, started the Opera company, earned her GED, graduated from BC, and FAU, where she received her Ph.D. at 70. "Dr. Mom," as Julie nicknamed her, was such a vivacious person, that I truly believed she's outlast all of us. She survived several bouts of cancer and the loss of two husbands, and a couple of other serious ailments. Yet, despite everything, she remained such an optimist. I went to see her a couple of months ago and even though she needed a walker for strength, she had that athletic look, as though she could bound out the door to play a set of tennis in Holiday Park. It was only in the last month that she expressed fatigue and a readiness "to be done with it."

I have fond memories of growing up as part of the extended Ruden household, sharing birthdays, holidays, and family dinners. Who knew that Lisa's "friends" were legends in the world of Opera or that she herself had a world class voice. All I knew was that she joined my grandfather, who studied to be a cantor, in stellar singing, that she  made a hell of a goulash, terrific crepes and offered me a much needed a refuge from what was a rocky existence in my home. I will always have a sweet spot for "Singing Waters." her house on Solar Isle, and the people in it.

As soon as I get details, I will pass them on. Lisa certainly was a role model for me and for so many others.

Zie Gezundt, Merrie

The Universe

The center of the universe.
Has died.
How.
Can it go on.
Without her.

Nice Yom Kippur Weekend

Other than Julie's agony re-injuring her groin, it was a very nice weekend.

Word With Friends

On my last visit home (end of August) I got Mom paying Word's With Friends with me.  She'd stopped playing it quite a while ago when some of the words she wants to use were disallowed, sp rejection of Jew highly offended her.
So I got her back on it again, and boy has she gone to town with it. She's off playing a half dozen people, and paying 2 games with me. She is consistently beating the heck out of me - and I'm a decent (ok not great) scrabble player.
In addition - and this is the biggest blessing - it has moved her mind away from focusing on 'the end'. Truly wonderful.

Amazing

Never underestimate her ability to amaze and inspire!