Ellen Gruben

Ellen Gruben, 82, died on December 24, 2023 at her residence in Saratoga Springs. Born in the Bronx, she was the daughter of the late Meyer and Sara Cohler.

Ellen was a cum laude graduate of Russell Sage College in Troy and taught elementary education in Mechanicville and Averill Park. She was 4th grade level chair at Cedarhurst Elementary School in Long Island. After her 10-year career as an educator, Ellen worked as a bookkeeper for her late husband Noel’s businesses’ Ramapo Auto Parts and RAP Warehouse Distributers, both located in Mahwah, New Jersey. 

For many years, Ellen was a volunteer coordinator for tales for tots a program part of Rockland County Childcare Services. When Ellen and Noel moved to Saratoga Springs in 2005, Ellen enjoyed being a children’s literacy volunteer and a volunteer for the Saratoga Hospital Guild. 

She was an accomplished pianist, having earned third place in the Steinway Hall Junior Concerto and taking lessons at the esteemed Hall throughout her childhood. Ellen’s Steinway Baby Grand serves as the practice piano at SPAC.

Besides loving the piano, Ellen was an avid reader and dog affectionado.

Ellen is predeceased by her son Miggy Gruben and her husband Noel, whom she was married for 47 years.

She is survived by her daughter Jill (Gruben) and son-in-love Michael Rubinstein; her grandchildren Adam, Maya & Ian Rubinstein; her sister JoAnne Freedman; her nieces and nephews: Beth Stackpole, Bill Freedman, Jonathan Freedman, Beth Clark and David Gruben; her brother-in-law Paul Gruben; and her sister-in-laws Francis Gruben, Susan Kaulfers, and Liane Gruben.

The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at noon at the Mendelssohn Chapel of Congregation Beth Emeth, 58 Turner Lane, Loudonville, NY. A period of mourning will be observed at the home of Jill and Michael Rubinstein in Ballston Spa, beginning Wednesday from 2-5p and concluding on Thursday from 4-7p.

Contributions may be made in Ellen Gruben’s memory to the The Lucky Puppy Great Beginnings Adoption Center in Argyle at https://www.theluckypuppy.org/support-us or to the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY at https://www.jewishfedny.org or to the Community Hospice at https://www.communityhospice.org/donate

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