Mrs. Hannah Rubin

Hannah P. Rubin, of Columbia, the daughter of Ida and Michael Prystowsky, was born on September 23, 1916, in Charleston, SC. She attended Memminger High School where she was president of the senior class as well as valedictorian. She graduated from the College of Charleston in 1938 and was voted “the prettiest girl in her class” (and she was beautiful!). After marrying Samuel Rubin, she moved to Columbia and had three children whom she raised while her husband was in service in both Germany and Japan in WWII. In 1950 when her youngest child started school, Mrs. Rubin bought a children’s shoe store in Five Points which became Rubin’s Children’s Shoes for the next 28 years. During this time she was active in civic and religious organizations including The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, The Daughters of Israel (now Beth Shalom Sisterhood), and was a founding member of the Columbia chapter of Hadassah, where she served as president. Mrs. Rubin was instrumental in helping relocate Holocaust survivors in Columbia. After her retirement from the shoe store, Mrs. Rubin worked as a volunteer in the Richland Memorial Hospital gift shop, where she was recognized for serving over 4000 hours. At the age of 71, she took a Parks and Recreation course in basket making. She won so many awards at the SC State Fair for her baskets, she was no longer allowed to enter as an amateur despite the fact she never sold a single basket (her family members were the lucky recipients!) but continued to compete on the professional level. Her 100th birthday celebration lasted the entire summer of 2016 as generations of family members visited her. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Rubin was predeceased by her sisters, Bernice Beichman, Jeanette Rabhan, and Miriam Brenner. She is survived by her daughter, Eleanor Niestat (Dr. Herbert); sons, Dr. Joseph Rubin and Dr. Michael Rubin (Amy); grandchildren, Edward Niestat (Dr. Laura), Adam Rubin, Debra Niestat (Joel Newton), Dr. Jennifer Rubin (Dr. David Halpern), and Beth Niestat (Daniel Libenson); and 10 great grandchildren, Emily Jane Niestat, Brian Niestat, Harry Newton, Lila Newton, Samuel Libenson, Miriam Niestat, Max Rubin, Alex Rubin, Aaron Halpern, and Isaac Halpern. The graveside service for Mrs. Rubin will be held at 3 o’clock, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery, 720 Blanding Street, Columbia with Rabbi Jonathan Case officiating. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Columbia Jewish Federation, 306 Flora Drive, Columbia, SC 29224 or to Palmetto Heath Foundation, 1600 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the care Mrs. Rubin received at Atria Forest Lake during the last several years of her life as well as to the staff at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital for their compassionate care.

Tributes

Mrs. Hannah Rubin

September 23, 1916 - May 28, 2017