Ruth Kendel Fonoroff's Obituary
Ruth Ann Kendel Fonoroff, educator, social justice advocate, and beloved mother, died in her Beachwood, Ohio home on December 2, 2019, age 95. Born in New York City on March 23, 1924, she grew up in Miami, Florida and in 1945 received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in college, her roommate happened to have a photo of a former high school classmate that caught Ruth's eye. Allen Fonoroff was in the Air Force stationed in Europe, and the two corresponded for two years before finally meeting. A year later, in 1946, they began what proved to be a golden wedding, lasting until his death in 1998. In 1952, they moved to Shaker Heights and raised three children, Ellen (Larry Bunce), Paul (Wirat Ratanayanont), and Robert (Menka Kyriakou), all of whom survive her.
Ruth's commitment to civil rights and housing integration was reflected by her involvement in the Ludlow Community Association and Fair Housing, Inc. Her keen interest in education led to a Master of Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1966 and a career as an instructor of remedial reading and volunteer teaching in women's correctional facilities, along with writing the syndicated column, Ruth Kendel's Report Card, and newsletter, Effective Classrooms. She remained politically active into her 90s, taking part in voter registration drives and serving as a board member of PFLAG. She also had a passion for the arts and was a longtime supporter of The Cleveland Museum of Art and The Cleveland Orchestra.
Ruth was deeply proud of her Jewish heritage and for many years a member of Fairmount Temple. She was devoted to family. One of the greatest gifts she gave her children was the freedom to pursue their dreams. Ellen, Paul, and Bob were, in turn, devoted to their mother and feel fortunate to have been so blessed.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Sunday December 22 in the Community Room of Point East Condominium, 27500 Cedar Road, Beachwood.
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