Ruth Shechter, 96, of Overland Park, passed away June 23, 2018, in her home at Village Shalom. Ruth was born in Chicago where she met her future husband, Nathan Shechter. They were married for 65 years until his death in 2007.
As a commissioner on the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights, Ruth worked tirelessly for adoption of the Kansas civil rights act, including equal and affordable housing in the Kansas City region. She was a member of several civil rights groups, including the Shawnee Mission Housing Council, which campaigned against housing discrimination, and the Fairview Neighborhood Council in Olathe, providing Home Evaluation & Rehab to fight against urban renewal problems. She co-created the Greater KC Housing Information Center, pioneering the provision of housing counseling in Kansas City. She was a long standing member of Shawmet Homes, developing Parvin Estates, and served on the board of the Metropolitan Energy Center. With longtime friend Al Brooks they created the KCMO Human Relations Department. And, she helped establish the national Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation/NeighborWorks in America’s Neighborhood Housing Services network.
Ruth is preceded in death by her husband, Nathan; brother, Seymour Gates; sister-in-law, Edith; Nathan’s brother, Jack; and son-in-law, Tim Lankford. She is survived by her children Jerry and wife Jennifer Logan, David and wife Gayle, Victoria and Judi; five grandchildren and four spouses; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and nephew, Floyd.
The family would like to thank the management of Village Shalom for years of support.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 29, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Missouri. Cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Rose Brooks Center or Planned Parenthood of KC.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arrangements by The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.