In a wonderful celebration of uptowns Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the Fort Tryon Park Trust wrote: “We celebrate the incredible life and lasting legacy of Dr. Ruth Westheimer especially as our neighbor and fierce advocate for our uptown community.
The Trust continued, “Her endless passion and vision as a world-renowned therapist inspired Governor Kathy Hochul to name Dr. Ruth in November 2023 the state’s first honorary ambassador to reduce loneliness! Dr. Ruth understood the healing power of nature and of the community so much that she became a founding board member of the Fort Tryon Park Trust 26 years ago, which she served on until her passing.”
RELATED: All The Best Dr. Ruth, From Harlem To Hollywood, The Acclaimed Sex Therapist Passes At 96.
“We loved seeing Dr. Ruth out this spring at the Shearing of the Heathers and visiting her tulips at the Café Lawn and her late husband Fred at the bench on the Stan Michels Promenade she dedicated to him. Her granddaughter became engaged at that same bench, the first bench plaque dedication in the park over 20 years ago! Dr. Ruth found immense joy up until her last week enjoying the park and often dropped in to see us at the cottage, here with her son Joel enjoying their Fort Tryon Park sunglasses as her June birthday gift,” The Trust wrote.
He said, “She will be deeply missed. Please read on for more loving tributes and beautiful photos of her and the community’s outpouring of appreciation.
Click here if you would like to watch the beautiful memorial to honor her. The closing song is one she had conducted. Yes, she made music literally and figuratively!
NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donohue said, “We mourn the loss of Dr. Ruth, a longtime New Yorker and friend of parks, who fought for Fort Tryon Park and the parks of northern Manhattan with the same fire and humor she displayed in her life.”
Enjoy this flashback story when NYC Parks and the Fort Tryon Park Trust’s Board Chair Jeff Bauml dedicated the Dr. Ruth Tulip Garden to her in April 2022!
Fort Tryon Park Trust, Co-Founder Adrian Benepe said, “I came to know Dr. Ruth Westheimer in the late 1990s, when I was serving as Manhattan Borough Commissioner for NYC Parks & Recreation. One day my assistant came into my office goggle-eyed and said, “There’s a woman who says she is Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and she wants to speak with you.” Needless to say, I took the call. She told me she lived across from Fort Tryon Park on Fort Washington Avenue for over 60 years and asked to meet me in her beloved park to show me how it had become dilapidated. After meeting her there and walking many paths including below the newly restored Heather Garden, I had to agree there were issues. That day I told her that if she would agree to be a founding member, I would create a conservancy with her to bring together people to help raise money and attention for more improvements and ongoing care of the park. Nearly 30 years later, the park is vastly improved, thanks to the work of the Fort Tryon Park Trust, the group she helped create and on whose board she served until her last day. Her memory and her decades of devotion to the park are a blessing and live on with her spirit.”
Fort Tryon Park Trust, Chair Jeff Bauml said, “A very sad day for our park, our community and for those who knew her. She was a positive influence on so many including me.”
Board Member Helen Morik stated, “She was all inspiration.”
Board Member Nancy Beuning said, “It was a pleasure to know her and an honor to have her in the neighborhood and as part of the Trust. One time we were riding home in a cab together from a board meeting. We were chatting amicably as she was excited about her next gig, addressing our troops in Afghanistan. Unthinkingly I said to her, “Oh and what will you talk to them about?“ She looked at me like I was a Martian and said, “Sex. Of course.”
Former Executive Director Jennifer Hoppa, said, “Rest in Power Dr. Ruth. So grateful for your steadfast friendship and your dedication to helping New Yorkers fall in love with our beloved Fort Tryon Park! It was such an honor to work alongside you to strengthen this glorious green space for all. “
Executive Director Jana La Sorte, stated, “She was a legend in life and will be forevermore. I feel so fortunate to have had a chance to get to know her and talk about her life and my life in Germany. We decided to launch SPAZIEREN slow walks like she did in Germany to savor nature and community. We will still do that in her honor so stay tuned for their debut.”
And from our uptown community and park neighbors….
Share your condolences below in our comments section.
Photo credit: 1) www.BaileyPhoto.com.. 2) Fort Tryon Park Trust. 3) www.BaileyPhoto.com. 5-8) Fort Tryon Park Trust.
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