Ruth Deborah Shapin

January 10, 1931 - April 18, 2021

Ruth was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1931 to Aron David Swirsky and Anna Spitz. After graduating from SUNY, Ruth continued her education at UCLA and received a master’s degree in English. She moved to Orange County to teach Junior High School English. Later she attended CSUF and received an MFCC. After a career in Counseling, Ruth attended law school and became an Attorney practicing Social Security Law with her partner Donald Buchanan until she retired at age 83. Ruth had many interests, including social and political issues, poetry, folk music, and folk dance. Her poetry was published in four poetry anthologies from the Poetry for Pleasure class at Osher Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUF. She published her own poetry book, “One Human Family,” and a short memoir, “Rebel with a Passion.” Ruth was a loving mother, grandmother, teacher, counselor, lawyer, volunteer, and human rights and peace activist.

Ruth is predeceased by her sister Esther Swirsky, her first husband, Marvin Chester and her second husband, Theodore Shapin Jr. She is survived by her brother-in-law Stan Shapin, son, Daniel Shapin, and her daughter and son-inlaw, Karen Chester and Bob Spies, and grandsons, David and Stephen Spies. We will miss you and love you always.

Ruth was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Anaheim for over 50 years. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the church. Please send donations in memory of Ruth Shapin to: UUCA, 511 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, 92805.

The family is planning a celebration of her life which will be announced at a future date.