Ruth Selma Johanna Chaskel was born on March 24, 1917, in Berlin, Germany, to Jakob Chaskel (also known as Jacob) and Berta Loewenberg (also known as Bertha).
Prior to the outbreak of World War II, Ruth embarked on a journey of academic pursuit, immigrating to England to attend the University of London, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Subsequently, in 1939, she relocated to New York City en route to the University of Washington in Seattle, where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Social Work.
By 1950, Ruth settled in New York City, where she resided with her parents, who had immigrated from Germany and Haifa, Palestine. Her commitment to social justice propelled her into various roles, including positions with the Brooklyn Bureau of Social Planning and Children’s Aid Society, the Family and Children’s Division of the New York City Department of Welfare (as a Supervisor), and the Council on Illegitimacy (as an Executive Director). Additionally, Ruth contributed to the Vermont Children’s Aid Society as a dedicated board member. Her diverse career also encompassed roles as a college instructor, justice of the peace, and investigative reporter.
Various newspaper clippings featuring Ruth’s career.
Upon retiring, Ruth embraced a new chapter in Vermont, residing in Rutland and Londonderry. She served the community as a Selectman for the Town of Londonderry and lent her investigative prowess to the Rutland Daily Herald as a reporter.
Around 1993, Ruth and her longtime partner Elizabeth Oliver relocated to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth passed away in 1997. Ruth died in 2004 and is buried Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Sources
1950 U.S. census, New York City, New York, sheet 8; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T628.
Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index (Online publication – Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2010. Original data – Social Security Administrations. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration. Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security D) ID: 3693::0, Ruth Chaskel.
“Elizabeth Oliver obituary 9 Sep 1997,” Newspapers.com – The Brattleboro Reformer – 9 Sep 1997 – p. 20, accessed via Ancestry.com
Londonderry Board Decides Not to Reveal Clerk’s Fees”, 19 Mar 1985, Newspapers.com – Rutland Daily Herald – 19 Mar 1985 – p. 5.
“New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957,” online images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com: accessed 25 Mar 2024), manifest, Deendam, 5 Apr 1939. Rec Date: 4 Mar 201.
“Ruth Chaskel” (obituary) Newspapers.com – Rutland Daily Herald – 6 Oct 2004, p. 19.
“The Unholy Amalgam,” Letter to the Editor, Rutland Daily Herald, Rutland, Vermont 5 May 1986.
U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s Current, Ancestry.com
U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, 1995-2002, accessed via Ancestry.com
The Budding Genealogist 