Ruth Pohl Birnbaum

Ruth Pohl Birnbaum of Chelsea, MA, formerly of Middletown, NY, peacefully passed away following a long illness on December 8, 2017, just 2 days after her 99th birthday. She was the daughter of the late Hyman and Bertha Pohl. She was born and grew up with her three brothers, Julius, Harold and Jack at the Midwood Hotel in Loch Sheldrake, NY which was owned by her parents. She graduated from Hurleyville High School in 1936. She was the beloved wife of the late Morris Birnbaum, with whom she celebrated 67 years of marriage. Ruth lived over 65 years in Middletown, NY, where she was an active member of Temple Sinai, transcribed braille for the blind, and was a talented and enthusiastic golfer at the then Orange County Golf Club in Middletown, NY. She is survived by her 3 children: Pat Stark and her husband, Jeff Stark, of West Palm Beach, FL; Terry Kleeman and her husband, Stuart Kleeman, of Belmont, MA; and Steven Birnbaum and his wife, Cyndi Jones, of Weston, MA.  She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: David Stark; Robert Stark; Jennifer Wall; Rachel Stark; Molly Birnbaum Becker; and Ben Birnbaum. In addition, Ruth is survived by 7 great grandchildren. In the last 18 years of her life, Ruth was privileged to have the
  loving and dedicated personal care of Edward Matthews of Woburn, MA.
    A graveside funeral service will be held in the Temple Sinai Cemetery, Route 302, Circleville, NY on Monday, (today) December 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM.  Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein will officiate. Shiva observance will be held in the Boston area at the homes of Terry and Stuart Kleeman and Steven Birnbaum and Cyndi Jones with dates and times to be determined.  Donations in Ruth’s memory can be made to:  Temple Sinai, 75 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940 or the charity of your choice.

     Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY. 

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