Ruth Cowan
Ruth Helen Daitzman Cowan, born June 4, 1924, to Benjamin and Bertha (Becky) Daitzman in Union City, New Jersey, passed away on March 16, 2025, at 100 years old! Ruth’s favorite childhood memories were from attending Camp Reena in upstate New York (now Ramah of the Berkshires), where she was crowned All-Round Camper. Ruth first attended college at New York University but transferred to Syracuse University her second year. Upon graduation from college, she entered a new physical therapy program at Harvard. In her career as a physical therapist, Ruth first worked with polio patients in Massachusetts and then worked at Valley Hospital, Paramus, New Jersey, and in private practice. Ruth’s greatest contributions as a physical therapist were creating two volunteer-led programs. The first was a physical and group therapy program helping women recover from mastectomies at the time when those were very invasive procedures. The program lasted 31 years and impacted hundreds of women in the tri-state area. The second program was “Swim-In” for people with multiple sclerosis. This program combined water therapy and group therapy. The program is still active today, impacting hundreds if not thousands of people. Sadly, many years after Ruth started the program, her oldest daughter was diagnosed with and ultimately died from multiple sclerosis.
Ruth was a dedicated volunteer. In addition to her Swim-In volunteerism, she was very active in the National Council of Jewish Women and American Jewish Committee, where she served in most of the regional leadership roles, earning NCJW’s coveted Hannah G. Solomon Award twice, AJC’s Human Relations Award and a Presidential Citation from President Reagan for Volunteerism from the National Center of Voluntary Action. In 2023, Ruth was chosen as a Woman of the Century by the Bergen County, New Jersey, chapter of NCJW.
Ruth loved family, friends, crossword puzzles, folk dancing, bird watching, hiking and travel. She and Wally traveled to six continents and she meticulously planned the trips herself even before and after the Internet simplified travel.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Wallace Cowan, to whom she was married for 71 years; and her daughter, Laurie Cowan. She is survived by her two children, Paul “Yirmi” Cowan (Chaya) and Judy Kogutt (Jeff); son-in-law Mark Lewittes; grandchildren: Dorit (Dovid) Badiel, Becky Lewittes (Brian Thompson), Yosef (Hannah) Cowan, Benjamin (Merissa) Kogutt, Dena Lewittes (Nico Bittner), Ezra (Sarah) Cowan, Asher Kogutt, Elan Kogutt, Dov (Shaina) Cowan and Elisheva Cowan; and 21 Jewish great-grandchildren!
The funeral was held March 19, with interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin, New Jersey.
Memorial donations can be made to Planned Parenthood, the Center for Biological Diversity or Mazon.
Roland Mizrahi
Roland Stephen Mizrahi, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away March 27, 2025, after a courageous battle with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 65 years old.
Roland was born on June 17, 1959, in Jacksonville, Florida, and spent his final years in Plano. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 43 years, Gail Anton Mizrahi, and a proud father to his children, Lane (Karli) Mizrahi and Melanie (Max) Penner. He was the adored grandfather of Micah Mizrahi and Perri Penner, whose lives he touched with boundless love and affection.
Roland was the son of Ginette and Charles Mizrahi and the dear brother of Karen (Eliot) Vogel and Beth Kigel. His bond with his siblings and extended family was unbreakable. He was a cherished uncle to Alisa (Chaim) Fox, Adina Vogel-Ayalon (Yoni Ayalon), Dr. Davida Vogel (Matan Ayash), Paul (Maddie) Kigel and Jonathan Kigel, and a proud great-uncle to many nieces and a nephew. Roland also shared a special connection with his aunts, including Judy Mizrahi, Debby Katz, Suzy Biller, Delcy Harber, Bessie Bodzy and Marilyn Blinderman, all of whom mourn his loss deeply.
Family was the center of Roland’s life; his love extended to his friends, his synagogue and his beloved Florida Gators. His devotion to Congregation Shearith Israel in Dallas was immeasurable; he served as a youth adviser and took on many ritual responsibilities. Roland also served as president of Shearith Israel from 2003 to 2005, and his leadership and contributions to the community were invaluable.
Roland was a passionate entrepreneur, sports enthusiast and avid golfer. He played competitive tennis in high school, achieving a second-place ranking in the state of Florida. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged early, as he founded Capitol Values, a direct mailer company, while still in college. Later, he worked as an accountant at Ernst & Whinney. He quickly realized that his true calling was not behind a desk but in front of people. In February 1990, he took over Sidran, Inc., a struggling family business. Through his hard work, vision and determination, he transformed it into a thriving enterprise for over 34 years. Sidran is now proudly carried on by his son, Lane.
Roland was an avid fisherman, boater, painter and dedicated do-it-yourselfer. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, always eager to take on a new project.
His legacy of love, generosity and unwavering support will be felt for generations to come. He leaves behind a family who will forever be grateful for his guidance, humor and unwavering devotion.
May his memory be a blessing and may his soul rest in peace.
