Last of the Russ Daughters Dies at 97
Heroines of the LES, May 2014
Anne Russ Federman, who, along with her dad and two sisters ran the Russ & Daughters appetizing business, passed away last Thursday at her home in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Cause of death was reportedly heart failure.
She was 97, and is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The Russ & Daughters business – founded at 179 East Houston in 1914 – is still in the family under fourth generation ownership.
News of her death was announced on the company’s Instagram account Friday.
We wanted to share with you our sad news that Anne Russ Federman has passed away. Anne was the youngest of the three Russ daughters, and at 97, the last of her sisters to survive. A tough woman with a glowing smile, she was the product of the Depression-era Lower East Side, having to work at the family store from a very young age. She was the matriarch of the Russ Federman Family. Her hard work and tenacity, both at home and at Russ & Daughters, created a lasting legacy. She is survived by her three children — Tara Federman, Hope Gottlieb, and Mark Russ Federman — seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Anne and her sisters came into the family business at a time when women were not recognized for their professional contributions. In the 1930’s, Joel Russ, Anne’s father and our founder, took the bold step of making Anne and her sisters his partners and renamed his store “Russ & Daughters.” Such a name was unheard of at the time … So many of our customers have been a part of the Russ & Daughters family for decades, even generations. Many of you knew Anne and will remember her. Even if you didn’t know her, know that Anne got to “schep naches” — a Yiddish expression meaning, “to reap the rewards and feel proud” — knowing that Russ & Daughters is a special place for so many of you.
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