Ruth O. Shapiro

Shapiro, Ruth (Oppenheimer) Ruth Oppenheimer Shapiro, 95, passed away peacefully at her home on May 31st in West Hartford, CT. Her life’s journey was shaped greatly by world events at the time, namely The Great Depression and WWII. Her family escaped from Germany when Ruth was just 8 years old.

 When her family first came to America they lived in a two bedroom apartment on MainStreet in Hartford and her mother would send her and her brother to the movies all day to learn how to speak English.She graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford, CT and then married MartinShapiro. Together they started their own beef business known as Regional Beef Company in Hartford, CT.

Thereafter, Ruth started her own business, MFS Nurses in West Hartford which contracted in home nursing services. After years of caring for her own parents, she saw the need for others to have such services available to them. In her later years, she worked for Arthur Schulman of West Hartford as a bookkeeper.

 She was a devoted daughter to her parents, Arthur and Greta (Wolf) Oppenheimer and lovingly took care of them throughout their lives. Her father was one of the founders of Tikvoh Chadosh Synagogue also known as B’Nai Tikvoh Shalom in West Hartford, CT. Ruth was verydevoted to her faith and synagogue.She had a small family and circle of friends but was the type of person that was always there in their time of need. She loved bowling, boating, dancing, singing, crocheting, gardening, reading and feeding her birds. She was especially proud of the beautiful blankets that she crocheted for family and friends and her beautiful rose bushes that would bloom in her yard and gardens.

Ruth was a caregiver at heart, and after caring for her parents, she took care of her aunts, uncles and friends of her parents. She was a second mother to her niece, Emmy, who remembers growing up and spending many wonderful times with her “Auntie Ruth” boating, bowling, shopping, traveling, swimming in her pool and enjoying conversations around her kitchen table. She was also very loved by her niece Cory who always read to her and brought her beautiful flowers and sweet treats. She will be deeply missed and remembered for her feisty spirit and well meaning honesty.

Ruth was blessed to have been taken care of the last months of her life by her wonderful friend and caregiver, Irina. They so enjoyed singing together in the kitchen, enjoying the sunshine on the back deck and going to the casino.

She is pre-deceased by her partner of 40 years, Donald Fisher, her brother Martin G. Oppenheimer and sister-in-law, Jean S. Oppenheimer of Cromwell, Connecticut, nephew, Charles Oppenheimer of Portland , CT and great nephew Timothy Gagnon of Cromwell, CT. Ruth leaves behind her nieces Emaline (Oppenheimer) and her husband Bob Pavelka, Cornelia (Jeff) Malmberg, Cromwell, Connecticut, John (Violet) Gagnon of Berlin CT along with their two sons, Trevor and Connor, Matthew Gilman, of Middletown, Connecticut and Heather (Allie) Gilman of Manchester Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make donations to the Susan B. Komen Foundation.Graveside services will be held at B’Nai Tikvoh-Sholom Cemetery, 10 Clubhouse Road, Windsor, CT on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 11 a.m.