Jodi T. ((Rubinowitz)) Peikes

Jodi T. (Rubinowitz) Peikes, of West Hartford, CT, passed away on November 4th, 2016 at the age of 57, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Flushing, NY, she was the daughter of Dr. Herbert and Arlene (Haver) Rubinowitz of Phoenix, AZ and Paul Stitzer of Boca Raton, FL.

Jodi grew up in Scarsdale, NY and received her undergraduate degree in nursing in 1980 from Skidmore College and her Masters (APRN) from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988.

Jodi had an expansive professional career beginning as a nurse in 1980 at NYU Medical Center, as well as positions at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, the Manhattan VA, St. Francis Hospital and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts both in Hartford, CT. Jodi loved her work and cherished her patients. Her two favorite positions were as head nurse at Camps Kenwood & Evergreen in New Hampshire where she worked for the past eleven summers tending to campers and staff, and at Trinity College in Hartford from 2009 until the time of her death. She felt blessed to have the opportunity to work with the camp and student populations and she was surrogate mother to many young people. She referred to these last two positions as her dream jobs.

Jodi was known for her love of life, her unflagging energy, her generosity and commitment to friends and family, and a tough “can do” spirit which made no task seem impossible. Her love for her children and pride in their accomplishments was the wind beneath their sails.

Jodi was zealous in her passion for fitness and always encouraged others to get active and participate. She competed in numerous triathlons, biathlons, marathons, half- marathons, 10K and 5K road races, always finishing at the top of her division. She competed in the NYC Marathon five times and completed a half marathon during her battle with cancer proving her indomitable spirit.

Besides her parents, she leaves behind her beloved husband, Ronald D. Peikes; her four children who meant the world to her, Katherine Peikes of Smyrna, DE, Samantha, Jonathan and Claire Peikes of West Hartford; and her sisters, Ami Israel and her husband Gary of Madison, CT, Susi Sur and her husband Scott of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Emili Gross and her husband Stewart of Phoenix, AZ, Wendi Rubinowitz Gilmour and her spouse Nicki Gilmour of Montclair, NJ, and her sister-in-law Stacy Rubinowitz of Valencia, CA and Randi Stensberg and her husband Brad of Pomona, CA. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who adored her. Jodi was pre-deceased by her brother, David Rubinowitz.

Jodi touched so many lives during her time here on earth and was an inspiration to many both personally and professionally. She was loved deeply and will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known her.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Sunday, November 6, 2016 in the Sanctuary of Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT with Rabbi James Rosen officiating. Interment will follow in Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson Street Extension, Avon, CT. Following the interment, the family will receive relatives and friends at Beth El Temple. Shiva will continue at her home on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 7:00 PM and Tuesday, November 8 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM and at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford and/or Relay for Life/The American Cancer Society. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford, CT. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Jodi, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.

Service Date: 01/01/1970