Ruta Neiberg

Ruta Neiberg, 91, of Westerly died on March 2, 2023, at Royal Westerly. Born on August 22, 1931 in Riga, Latvia, she was the daughter of Teodors and Alma (Sleija) Metra. She and her family fled the Nazi occupation of Latvia and the Soviet reinvasion in 1944 and lived in a displaced persons camp in Fischbach, Germany for several years before immigrating to the United States.

On May 4, 1957, she married Paul Neiberg, M.D., a fellow émigré from Latvia, and settled into the life of a homemaker.

She was fluent in three languages—Latvian, English, and German. She loved books and taught us to love books. She loved history and the arts, and enjoyed taking in an opera or ballet.

She was proud of her Latvian heritage and shared stories and photographs to ensure that generations after would know the history of her homeland and family.

She was a long-time volunteer at Kent (County) Hospital, and then studied nursing and worked as a private-duty nurse for several years before retiring.

Ruta is predeceased by her parents and her husband; sister-in-law Ligija I. Neibergs; and three beloved cousins, Baiba, Gunars, and Aina. She is survived by her daughter Linda and son-in-law Alfred of Sharon, Connecticut, her son Martin and daughter-in-law Gabriella, five step-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her beloved godchild, Nora, three cousins, Helene, Ilze, and Maija (Michael), and her best friend Biruta whom she met in Fischbach.

Her family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Royal Westerly and Continuum Hospice for their attentive, compassionate care.

A private memorial service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island, the Westerly Animal Shelter, or a gift of books to your local library or child-care center.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com