Ruth Kemelman Rooks passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026, surrounded by her family. Ruth was born in Boston, the eldest daughter of author Harry Kemelman and local icon Anne (Kessin) Kemelman. She moved to Marblehead as a teenager, and after college and brief stays in New York City and Delaware with her husband, George, she settled back on the North Shore, where she felt most at home.

Ruth was a wonderfully talented artist who shared her love and enthusiasm for art with students of all ages and levels of experience. She found her passion for teaching early through her work with the City of Revere and Camp Columbus/Columbia in Danvers. Her years spent in Hamilton-Wenham, Marblehead, and at Cohen Hillel Academy were particularly rewarding, she had a rare gift for connecting with middle school students. One of her tricks was to insist that they remain seated, which was the only time she had a height advantage over the growing pre-teens.

Ruth was active in Boston’s arts community, where she was elected a Copley Artist, as well as in the Marblehead Arts Association and the North Shore Arts Association. She was a former president of the Swampscott Arts Association and a founding member of ReachArts. She proudly shared her talent for painting with novice and accomplished artists, although she was a fierce advocate for art in all forms and media.

Her interests and accomplishments were broad and extensive beyond the arts. She was a talented and dedicated bridge player, and she treasured the communities she found through weekly games both at the JCC and at home with friends. Ruth had boundless energy, and when she saw an opportunity to improve her community, she made it happen. She was immensely proud of her role in founding the Swampscott Tides newspaper and of her service as a board member of Congregation Ahavat Shalom, where she was instrumental in distributing funds to organizations benefiting local Jewish community members in need.

Ruth and her husband, George, were blessed with an extensive circle of devoted friends, both in the community and around the world, who were an incredibly important part of their lives.

Ruth is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years, George Rooks; her sister, Diane Volk and her late husband Steven Volk; her late brother Arthur Kemelman and his wife Ziona Kemelman, her daughter, Nina Rooks Cast, and her husband, Jim Cast; her daughter, Jennifer Rooks Dolin, and her husband, Eric Jay Dolin; her son, Jared Rooks; four cherished grandchildren, David, Lily, Harry, and Michael; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ruth was dynamic, dedicated, loyal, passionate, and proud of her family, her friends, and her community.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Swampscott Arts Association, Swampscott Tides, or the Friends of the Swampscott Library.