Ruth Sazer Weissman, 87, died on Earth Day, April 22, at her home surrounded by loved ones. She was born on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1920, in Newark N.J. She graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark in June 1937. On Sept. 7, 1941, she married Clem C. Weissman and they moved to Northern Virginia where they remained for 60 years, most recently at Greenspring Village in Springfield.
With Clem and others, she was a founder of the Tauxemont Community south of Alexandria. She was a prolific poet for any and all occasions and won the "Mrs. Washington Eats Out" essay contest with a poem in 1959. Her "Swing Song," originally written for her children, has been sung to grandchildren and others around the globe. She shared her love of birds, and especially hummingbirds, with all who knew her.
A loving, practical, and wise, hard-working mother, she was and always will be the epitome of a valentine. Filled with love to share, she was the eternal optimist and rose to the acclaimed status of "Official Greenspring Hugger" soon after moving there in 1999. She co-created the Greenspring Village Exercise and Line Dancing classes. Her visits to the Greenspring Gym three times a week kept her strong and healthy.
Mount Vernon Hospital honored Ruth for 20 years of volunteer work. She was famous for raising thousands of dollars for the hospital with her sales of pecans.
Her husband, Clem, died Dec. 25, 2003. She was preceded in death by her grandchildren, Travis and Kolby Weissman, and four sisters and brother. She is survived by her children, Michael Weissman, Santa Barbara, Calif.; Jon Weissman, Granby, Mass.; Steve Weissman, Surat Thani, Thailand; and Ellen Weissman, Sandpoint, Idaho; her daughters-in-law, Dorothy Weissman, Federal Way, Wash.; Joan Grenier, Granby, Mass.; Rosemary Weissman, Surat Thani, Thailand; and Alice Zaft, Westfield, Mass; her grandchildren, Adam Weissman, Seattle, Wash.; Tamily Weissman (and Vivek Unni), Cambridge, Mass.; Matthew Weissman (and Erin Chlopak), Washington, D.C.; Judith Grodner (and Jared Grodner), East Orange, N.J; Sasha Jackson, Tempe, Ariz.; and Saramaya Weissman, Eugene, Ore. She was looking forward to becoming a great-grandmother twice this year. She is also survived by many other relatives, caregivers and dear friends. Ruth Weissman inspired all who knew her with kindness, compassion and a desire for peace in the world. Her children request that others "pay it forward" with hugs in her honor. Donations may also be made in her memory to Mt. Vernon Hospital Auxiliary, c/o Sheila Barnes, 2501 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306 and the Tauxemont Community Association, Ruth Weissman Memorial Swing Fund, c/o Jeanne Woodward, 7936 Bolling Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. On May 5 at 3 p.m., a Celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at the Greenspring Village Chapel, 7446 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA. Cremation arrangements are being handled by Jefferson Funeral Home, 703-971-7400.