Elinor Rutenberg

Elinor Pauline Stern Rutenberg passed away on November 21, 2016, at the age of 92. Born in Wilks-Barre, Pa and growing up in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late Pauline and Moses Stern and sister, the late Caroline Waltzer. Living in the shadow of the Hershey headquarters, she developed an addiction to chocolate. Independent from an early age, Elinor was known as a pistol for her exuberance. While a young waif during the war, she worked at the state capital in Harrisburg and, as many young women of the time did, met her future spouse, Stanley Rutenberg at a USO gathering. They married in 1947 moving variously to Palm Beach, Fla; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Fort Worth before ultimately settling in Dallas. Elinor was an avid Mah Jong player, bowler, and needle pointer. She and Stanley also loved to travel gallivanting all over the US and beyond. Several of these were extended journeys that involved cramming three young children in the back of a car with predictable results. Because Stanley traveled extensively for work, Elinor served as head of household and chief judge and jury as her children did their best to survive adolescence. Once freed from the shackles of live at home children, Elinor diverted her parental energies towards working as a customer service representative for 22 years. She put her people skills and 'stern' demeanor to good use. Though she enjoyed working with customers, the more irate the individual, the greater the challenge for her. Elinor retired in 1996 to care for Stan when he was terminally ill. After he passed, she volunteered to read books for Lighthouse before moving to Houston to be closer to her children. Elinor is survived by her children Michael and Veronica Rutenberg, Gary and Julie Rutenberg, and Joan Englander; her grandsons Keith Rutenberg, Aaron Englander and his wife Lindy, Josh Rutenberg and Shay Rutenberg; and her step grandchildren, Wes and Carling Mabry, Jamie Mabry and Vincent Pizzitola. She is also survived by her nieces, Barbara Levy, Susan Schwartz, Linda Brown, Shari Nevelow, Hedy Tehrani and Marsha Zazula and their families. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association, the American Humane Society, Congregation Beth Israel or the charity of your choice.

Elinor Rutenberg

April 20, 1924 - November 21, 2016