Ruth Sachs Meislin, 90, died Nov. 6, 2024, at St Luke’s Hospital in Allentown, two blocks from her childhood home on Hamilton Street.

She was the wife of the late Ira Meislin.

The daughter of Jacob A. Sachs and Hattie Senderowitz Sachs, she grew up with her two older brothers, Marvin and David, and was surrounded by aunts, uncles and many cousins.

She was a graduate of Allentown High School and Oberlin College and obtained a certificate in language and culture from the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She married in 1959 and the couple raised two children, John and Ann and welcomed many exchange students at their home in Emmaus.

She transitioned from her early career as a teacher and a social worker to a life of joyful community activism. She helped establish Jewish Family Service and served as its president, helping to ensure the successful resettlement of Russian Jews to the Lehigh Valley. She also was co-chair of the Lehigh Valley Nursing Home Committee, which was instrumental in the creation of Beth Tikvah, the House of Hope, that brought community-based care to nursing home residents. She served as president of the Allentown branch of the American Association of University Women and was also a founding member of the Community Music School and a docent at the Allentown Art Museum. Born from the values taught by her parents and developed in college, she was passionately interested in social justice.

She is survived by her children; John, of Paris, France and Emmaus, Ann and her husband, Harry, of North Potomac, Md.; grandchildren, Emily and her husband, Kris, Hadley and her husband, Michael; brother, David Sachs; sister-in-law, Ruth Sachs; many cousins, nieces and a nephew.

She was predeceased by her loving husband; brother, Marvin; host-son, Hans Blomer.

Arrangements were made by Bachman, Kulik, and Reinsmith Funeral Home, 1629 Hamilton St., Allentown.

Donations may be made to the Student Diplomacy Corps, www.sdcorps.org and/or Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, www.jfslv.org.