Ruth Getter

Dr. Ruth Getter, age 77, passed away in Princeton, New Jersey on April 30, 2020 after a brief illness.
Dr. Getter was born in Tel Aviv in 1942 to Solomon and Josephina Getter and moved to Montreal with her family at the age of 10. She obtained her bachelor's degree in genetics and math from McGill University in 1964, a master's degree in economics from Ohio University in 1970, and a PhD in economics from Boston University in 1982.
Prior to 1970, Ruth lived in Quebec, Ontario and Ohio, before moving to Boston. There, she raised two children, obtained her doctoral degree, and then began her career. In 1987, Ruth returned to Canada, where she was hired by TD Bank in Toronto as a researcher. By 1994, Dr. Getter had been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, making her the first woman to ever serve as the chief economist of a Canadian bank. Dr. Getter traveled and spoke widely during her tenure, where her ability to simplify complex economic news made her a favorite of the print and TV media before retiring in 2000.
Dr. Getter returned to the United States after her retirement in 2011 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She moved to Princeton Windrows, where she served as a member of the board of trustees, most recently as director of the finance committee. She was a staff favorite and lived there until her death.
Ruth will be remembered for her quick mind, even quicker wit, and her generosity to her friends, family and all of the people who helped her live her life. Ruth said that her career was an accident: In 1967, Ohio University did not have a genetics department, so she decided to try economics. As with her father, a successful serial entrepreneur, she was proudest not of her own accomplishments, but those of her children and grandchildren.
Ruth is survived by her son and daughter, Aaron Polak and Rivka Polak; her four grandchildren, Zak and Talya Polak and Elliot and Robyn Kerachsky; her daughter-in-law, Karyn Polak; her sisters, Chaya Kushnir and Anita Steiner; and many relatives and friends in Canada, Israel, Europe and the United States.
Rivka and Aaron were able to spend time with Dr. Getter prior to her death, and want her friends and family to find comfort in knowing that she passed as she lived: entirely on her own terms.
Under the circumstances, her funeral will be held with a private family-only ceremony on Sunday and her family will sit Shiva privately. Her children plan to celebrate her life next spring at the unveiling of her gravestone. For those who wish to remember her, please feel free to direct a donation to the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org or Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Moshe PO Box 580 / Laurel Park Rd South Fallsburg, NY 12779. www.levinefuneral.com