VIRGINIA BEACH—Mollie Masarsky Ruben, 91, died October 20, 2017.
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Mollie was the daughter of the late Zeda and William Masarsky. After a whirlwind romance, in 1948, Mollie married the love of her life, Daniel Abraham Ruben, who predeceased her, and lived in Norfolk and Virginia Beach until the date of her death. Mollie was a graduate of Ohio State University and put her accounting education to good use, working side by side with Daniel in the Old Dominion Oil Company until they retired in 1980.
Mollie, together with Daniel, was a founding member of Temple Israel in Norfolk, active in the Sisterhood and the Sunday School. Mollie was an avid duplicate bridge player, achieving Life Master status several times over. Mollie was renowned for her baking. She fervently believed that her chocolate pound cake had medicinal qualities and baked them often for cancer patients, who reported that, after chemotherapy, chocolate pound cake was one of the only foods they could eat. Mollie baked strudel for friends’ simchas, charging a fee that she then donated to charity.
Mollie loved to knit. Her hand-made blankets, sweaters, ponchos, and even slippers given to countless family members and friends will surely continue to provide warmth and fond memories. Mollie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed.
Mollie is survived by two sons, Laurence Ruben of Virginia Beach, and Robert Ruben and his wife Brenda, of Rockville, Md.; two daughters, Debra Isaacson and her husband, Dale, of Potomac, Md., and Mary Jo Reich and her husband, David, of Short Hills, N.J. Mollie was predeceased by her sister, Elaine Nicholas, and is survived by her sister, Hilda Bindelglass, of Boca Raton, Fla., eight grandchildren, Jason, Michael, Pamela, Ronni Jane, Scott, Jake, Will and Ben, and nine great grandchildren, Zackary, Lily, Abigail, Maya, Dean, Elliott, Max, Morgan, and Nora.
She worried about all whom she loved and would exclaim “thank God!” upon their safe return from a trip.
A graveside funeral service was held at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Rabbi Michael Panitz officiating, H.D. Oliver. Memorial donations may be made to the Mucolipidosis IV Foundation, www.ml4. org, or to a worthy charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com.