Kivett, Ruth Esther Peltzman

A loving tribute to Ruth Esther (Peltzman) Kivett (1918-2009) who passed away on the morning of Sept. 2. She was 91 years old, having just celebrated a birthday on Aug. 18. Ruthie, as she was affectionately known, lived life, even during hard times, with a sense of optimism and a heart big enough to embrace and comfort all. To be around her was to share in the same joyous desire to make each day worthwhile and always know that there was a purpose to everything that came our way. We learned many of life’s lessons from Ruthie as she donned her signature aprons, and we would sit and talk to her in the kitchen while she cooked her fabulous Friday night family dinners. A crowd of 10 was the norm, and the smell of freshly baked challah and matzo ball soup regularly greeted you as you walked through the front door.

Ruthie was born the youngest of eight to Susie and Reuben Peltzman in Kansas City, where Ruthie grew up and lived her entire life. She had the distinction of being in the third graduating class of Southwest High School, where her own children later attended. At the University of Missouri, Ruthie’s sorority sisters dubbed her “Winch” (after Walter Winchell, the famed society gossip columnist) for always knowing the scoop on campus. The nickname stuck among her lifelong friends as a term of endearment.

Ruthie married Jerome S. Kivett in 1940, after meeting him on a blind double-date, and after a period of courtship where her groom-to-be earnestly sought her affection as well as the blessings of the bride’s parents. The two enjoyed 42 years of marriage (until her husband’s death in 1982), rearing their four boys together, entertaining friends and family, traveling, and then ultimately sharing a passion for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A long-time volunteer for a number of worthy causes, her grandchildren took special delight in the fact that she was the buyer of toys for the Menorah Hospital gift shop. Ruthie loved children, the joy that toys brought them and the spirit of holidays big and small. Throughout her life, she remained a big fan of playing cards with her girlfriends and roaming the aisles of her favorite grocery stores. At the end of the day, it was about family. Ruthie cherished her roles as daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, niece, friend to many and ultimately the matriarch of a family that included four children, 10 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, plus many others she “adopted” along the way or who “adopted” her. In Ruthie’s mind, there was always room for one more.

Ruthie’s strength of character was tested when her youngest son, Marc, who passed away in 1983, sadly preceded her in death. However, those who live to carry on her memory and the memory of others include sons, Hanan and wife Kristin, Paul and wife Nancie and William and wife Janis.;10 grandchildren, Lisa Kivett and spouse David, Jeff Kivett and spouse Susan, Valerie Kivett, Simone Kivett, Julian Kivett, Joel Kivett and spouse Jenny, Bailey Kivett Marable and spouse Justin, Aaron Kivett and spouse Amanda, Noah Kivett and spouse Amy, and Jenna Kivett Lindburg and spouse Stuart; nine great-grandchildren, Jordan, Rachel, Devin, Riley, Gabriel, Kassy, Catherine, Ellie and Willow; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins across the country whom she loved; and her caregiver and friend, Carlotta Posey, who made it possible for Ruthie in her later years to remain active and maintain a meaningful quality of life. We will all miss Ruthie.

Graveside services were held Sunday, Sept. 6, at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family asks that those interested make a donation to Village Shalom or to a charity of your choice.

An online guestbook is available at www.louismemorialchapel.com.

Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, (816) 361-5211.

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