Kasten, Ruth L.
East Greenwich
Kasten, Ruth L., 79, died Sunday, July 5, 2026 while on vacation in Kamiah, Idaho. She was the beloved wife of the late Gerald Kasten (Z”L) and later, the cherished partner of Bob Feldman of Framingham, MA. Born in New York City, a daughter of the late Henry and Evelyn (Licht) Rahm (Z”L), she had lived in East Greenwich, RI for 51 years.
Ruth was Controller of Pilgrim Title Insurance Company in Providence, RI for many years, cutting back on hours more recently, but never quite managing to fully retire.
Nothing was more important to Ruth than family. She spent happy days preparing for big family gatherings, and the harder it was to fit everyone in her home, the happier she was. Thanksgiving and Mother’s Day were her favorites, bringing her so much joy to get the entire extended/blended (always her words) family together.
She lived every moment for her grandchildren, and would do (and did) absolutely anything for them. Plans were arranged around every special occasion. She refused to miss a single one, and cherished every moment she spent with them. Ruth loved to travel, and was always excitedly planning her next adventure. She loved to hike, take walks, and stay active and moving all the time. She loved the theatre, whether taking trips to New York with her grandchildren (where she also loved showing them where she grew up), organizing big family groups to see shows at PPAC, or watching her grandchildren onstage and behind the scenes.
Devoted mother of Adam Alper and his wife, Kim Sinclair, of Randolph, MA; Jen Zinno and her husband, Matt, of Sharon, MA; Sheryl Caissie and her husband, Brian, of Alva, FL; Larry Kasten and his wife, Jill, of Worcester, MA; and Susan Abrahams and her husband, David, of Austin, TX. Dear sister of Alan Rahm of Sewickley, PA and Maxine Solomon of Raleigh, NC. Loving grandmother of Elizabeth, Jacob, and Aster Zinno; Daniel Caissie and Sarah Lewis; Joshua, Hannah, Avery, and Levi Kasten; Samuel and the late Harry Abrahams (Z”L). In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness or The Providence Performing Arts Center.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Priest Chapel in Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1469 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02888 at 11:00 a.m. Shiva is Monday, 7/13, 3pm – 7pm at her home, 95 Fry Brook Drive, East Greenwich, RI, and Tuesday, 7/14, 4pm – 8pm at her daughter Jen’s home, 23 Grape Shot Road, Sharon, MA..
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Shalom Memorial Chapel
1100 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 463-7771
(877) 463-7771
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Ruth and I became fast friends from the first time Bob introduced us. I was always in awe of her positive energy and joyous demeanor. She gave so much to those fortunate to be in her presence, and I will miss her terribly. While I only knew Ruth for two years, I will hold her in my heart and remember her as a lifelong friend. My husband Peter Yeager and I will both miss her deeply.
❤️
Barukh Dayan HaEmet. Ruth (Rahm /Alper) Kasten, z”l, and then-husband Dr Joe Alper were the very first to welcome my wife, Myrna and me (Cantor Steven W. Dress) to the Warwick, RI synagogue on the eve of my 9-year tenure there as cantor-educator (1982-1991) before assuming the Temple Israel, Sharon MA position for the ensuing 26 years. Because daughter Jen and son-in-law Matt settled in Sharon, it afforded Myrna and me opportunities to maintain a closeness with Ruth,z”l and Jerry as she was fully integrated in her grandchildren’s lives that included the synagogue community. In the spring of 1982, Myrna & I drove from our Greater Boston apartment to accept Ruth’s welcoming party invitation at her warm and wonderful East Greenwich, RI home. After our children were born, Jen babysat for us and we all periodically shared Shabbat/holiday meals at our home. Son, Adam, was a an accomplished Gabbai (Torah reading assistant) by age 14 and both Adam & Jen, thanks in largest measure to Ruth, were bright lights in our lives! While they remained married, Joe, too, was a dear friend and supportive leader. It’s just a tiny snippet, but let it be known that Ruth, z”l, was indeed a remarkable daughter, devoted mother/grandmother/wife, and a most kind, sensitive, compassionate, caring, and responsible wise friend to anyone blessed to be in any of her circles of relationships. She was and will forever remain a blessing within the hearts of many as she surely will soon be among the holy and pure in the heavens above. To the grief-stricken family: HaMakom Y’nachem Etchem. May Gd comfort you as the people Israel were comforted and strengthened following the trials and tribulations that befell Jerusalem and the Jewish people through the ages. Much love, Myrna and Cantor Emeritus Steven Dress, Boca Raton, FL.
Steve and Myrna Dress