Is it only a week since first seeing the four-column surreal photograph of Ruth Madoff in the Sunday Style section of the New York Times? It seems more like a month, so devastatingly sad does she look. Her soft, Baby Blonde highlights need re- touching, but when she called the salon to make an appointment, she was told she would no longer be welcomed there, nor would any hairdresser be allowed to serve her in her home.

Nor would the florist who always provided bouquets for her husband’s banquets honor anyone’s order from the family.

Lynnley Bowning’s article is titled “The Loneliest Woman in New York.”

Even her sons, Mark and Andrew, who have not been charged by prosecutors, are banned by their lawyers from contact with their parents. They now call them “Ruth” and “Bernie.”

Ruth Madoff, 68, was also ruined, along with her husband when he divulged his Ponzi scheme a $65 billion fraud, for which he will be sentenced later this month.

Browning tells us that Ruth has been a director at her husband’s firm and has stood closely by him through 49 years of marriage.

Her lack of public contrition hasn’t earned her much sympathy, especially when she shifted $l5 million out of an investment account, and to transfer watches, cuff links and other jewelry to her children.

One friend, Mrs. Broesky, said she fought hard to preserve her reputation: “I knew that I had to be an ambassador for my good name, that I had to forge ahead, be proud and do good deeds.”

Mrs. Madoff hasn’t said what she will do to build a new future. Samanatha von Sperling, a Manhattan social image consultant, has said, “All we see is her living in a world of stolen money. If I were her, I’d devote my life to charity– an orphanage or a pet shelter would be a good place to start.” I’d opt for the orphanage. Children will forget and love her into healing. God bless her and help her become whole.

Often, I would encourage my students to memorize Shakespeare’s theory on the value of one’s reputation from Othello, Act 3 Scene 3

IAGO

Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls;
"Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing

'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands:
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.

May God bless all Fathers this day and their families. Peace and joy.

Amen.

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