Diana Ruth LevitanFeb 12, 1931 - Apr 1, 2018Diana Ruth Levitan, a dedicated pre-K teacher in Oakland for 27 years, died on April 1 at age 87. Born in Philadelphia, PA to Isador and Minnie Schechter, Ruth graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls at 16, attended the University of Illinois, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951. Stationed in San Francisco, she met her first husband, Stanley Leviten, was honorably discharged and moved to Oakland. In 1954, Ruth's only child, a daughter, was born. Ruth graduated from UC Berkeley in 1959, majoring in Early Childhood Development, and later earned an M.S. from Cal State Hayward. Ruth had many interests including world travel, dancing and writing poetry. In 1984, she married Ben Levitan, living in Albany until Ben's death in 2005. She attended Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Alameda, serving as a worship associate. In 2011, Ruth moved to the Veterans Home in Yountville. Missing her friends and the Bay area, she moved to The Point at Rockridge in Oakland in 2016. Ruth was predeceased by her sister Dorothy Schwartz, and brother Leonard Schechter. She is survived by daughter Barbara "Bobbe" Susan Leviten of Oakland, sister Ada Lea Fishman of Philadelphia, PA and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on May 26th at Christ Episcopal Church in Alameda, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Roots of Peace in Ruth's memory.