Nurit Ben-Ur

Nurit Ben-Ur, daughter of Tamar and Joseph Ben-Ur, was born on December 7, 1971, in Jerusalem, Israel, during the Jewish candle-lighting holiday of Hanukkah—inspiring her name, which is a flower and also means “light.” She died on January 30, 2025, and was a source of light to many people all her life.

A beautiful blue-eyed baby, her delayed development led in part to her family’s move to the United States—Urbana-Champaign, near Chicago, with access to a then-new CAT scanner and hydrocephalic shunt surgery that allowed her to thrive. Nurit’s family eventually settled in Racine, WI, where she attended Park High School’s special education program and waved cheerily into classrooms she passed. As an adult, she was a beloved part of the Careers (now VARC) vocational/enrichment program for over 30 years.

Nurit loved creating art, listening to music, and enjoying food. She had a bright, warm smile for everyone, even as she fought through many difficult hospital stays. She brought people together: her Boston and Austin-based family who convened to see her at her first adult-care home with Sherri Shaver for 19 years through her final, loving St. Regis group home; her housemates and staff in energetic dance parties; and when these circles met, singing both Hanukkah and Christmas songs she loved.

With the raw love, joy, and delight of a lifelong child, she also brought out the best in everyone who loved and cared for her. She will be missed terribly by her mother Tamar, sister Ela, brother-in-law Arrin Katz, nieces Maia and Dalia Katz, and all she touched. She is preceded by her father Joseph Ben-Ur.

Graveside services will be held at 12 pm on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Racine Jewish Memorial Cemetery located at 612 Lathrop Ave. Racine, WI 53405.