Baruch Dayan HaEmet – Ruth Seagull z”l

Ruth Seagull (Oct. 6, 1930 – September 6, 2026), passed away peacefully in her home in Boulder, Colorado, one month shy of her 96th birthday.  Ruth Rifkah bat Tehila v’Dov is survived by her sons, David and Jacob; her grandson, Daniel; her granddaughter, Kate; and her many nieces and nephews in America and Israel. Ruth is also survived by a vast number of friends and students, all of whom loved her deeply.  She was the youngest and last surviving of her twin sisters, Hana (Bonnie) Gerlach and Naomi Singer, and her brother, Ray Schapiro. 

Ruth was born on Sukkot in Germany in 1930. Her father, recognizing the looming threat to the Jewish population, soon moved the family to Switzerland, and eventually to the United States. Her father and mother believed the somewhat radical (at that time) idea that women could study Torah, which became a lifelong passion for Ruth. After helping her parents emigrate from New York to Jerusalem in 1951, she returned to New York where she married Arthur Seagull and had two sons and a 17 year marriage, ending in divorce.  She moved with her family to Michigan in the 1960s, where she established a long career as a school psychologist, while also helping found a Jewish congregation in East Lansing, and teaching Transcendental Meditation. She retired to Fairfield, Iowa, for a few years before eventually re-locating to Boulder. 

Congregation Nevei Kodesh and the wider Boulder Jewish community revered Ruth for sharing her deep Jewish knowledge with hundreds of B’nai Mitzvah students, both young and old. She also put a tremendous amount of time, thought, energy and love into her Torah teaching and preparing people to step into spiritual lay leadership roles.

She lived her life selflessly and modestly, always striving to do the right thing, with intention and thoughtfulness. She found joy and satisfaction in Judaism, and sharing her insights with her friends, community and students. She practiced deep ecumenism, incorporating different Eastern philosophies and practices into her life. She showed up for anyone and everyone. She brought food to people and sat and held space for those who needed it. She was always there to support others, even if she did not know them, constantly increasing her circle of friends and admirers. She listened and empathized with her whole being and offered insight and depth to every interaction.

Ruth never lost her positive attitude. She loved a good joke and was always willing to laugh at herself. In recent months, when she had a memory lapse, she found the humor in it and referred to it as her “new skill.”

Ruth continued to teach and study Torah to the end, seeking new perspectives until her last day. She was a mentor, inspiration, friend, and “parent and grandparent” to many. She was wise, kind, generous, open-minded, and open-hearted. Ruth’s loving and compassionate view of the world helped us all to see the beauty around us and to be better people.

Ruth wrapped her loved ones and community in warmth, sharing her love, wisdom, support, her passion and presence. Ruth’s passing will be felt in the very fabric of our beings.  

Shmira Information: If you can help sit shemira with Ruth, the Boulder Chevra Kadisha welcomes family, friends, and community members to sit daytime Shmira shifts. Because Shmira takes place in a private facility, all guest volunteers complete a brief 1-minute registration form (name and contact info only) before selecting a shift. Thank you for performing this meaningful chesed shel emet for Ruth Seagull and her family.

Funeral Information: There will be a Memorial Service held at Congregation Nevei Kodesh on Thursday, September 10 at 10:00 AM, in person and on Zoom, followed by burial at Green Mountain Cemetery. Please click here to register for the memorial service. This will help prepare for the number of people attending, both on zoom and in person.

Shiva Information: There will be a shiva gathering in honor of Ruth on Monday, September 14, at Congregation Nevei Kodesh. More information to follow.