Ruth Levin; Retired Schools Secretary
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Ruth Levin of Newbury Park, a retired secretary with the Conejo Valley Unified School District, died Dec. 17 after a lengthy illness. She was 76.
Levin was born July 10, 1921, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and lived in Ventura County for 33 years.
She worked for the school district for 26 years. She started as a noon aide and retired in the late 1980s as a secretary. For her efforts, Levin received numerous awards and commendations.
“When she retired, she got awards for her integrity,” said her daughter, Marcia Reich of San Diego. “She was known and respected by all.”
Levin met her husband-to-be, Morris Levin, during World War II when he was a member of the 5th Army Air Corps. They were married in 1942. During one of his trips overseas, Morris Levin’s ship was torpedoed. “There was a time when she didn’t know whether or not he was alive,” Reich said.
In 1992, Morris and Ruth renewed their wedding vows.
Reich called her mother “one of those quiet, private people who makes a difference in the life of everyone she meets.”
Levin’s misfortune was her health. But even when she was ill, her strength was inspiring, Reich said.
“She had multiple catastrophic illnesses, and she fought and she fought,” Reich said.
Levin was a woman who did everything on her own terms, said her daughter, and at the time of her death, her desire to have family by her side was fulfilled.
In addition to her daughter and her husband, Levin is survived by a son, Jonathan, of Thousand Oaks, and a grandson.
Funeral services will be held today at noon at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Chapel in Westlake Village, with the Rabbi Shimon Paskow officiating, and Cantor Jeff Cohen assisting.
Interment will follow at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the Temple Etz Chaim Lipnick Education Endowment Fund, 1080 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks 91360.
Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.
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