Ruriko (Calvano) Garbeck

Ruriko Garbeck passed away after a courageous battle with a long illness on October 27, 2025. Born on January 16, 1950, in Tokyo, Japan, her life was a vibrant tapestry woven with love, art, and dedication to her family and work.

Ruriko's story took root in Belleville, New Jersey, where she and her family settled after moving to the United States. They also spent time in Bloomfield before Ruriko established her own home in Washington Township (Bergen County). It was there that she and her beloved husband, George Garbeck, raised their two daughters, Alexandra and Elizabeth, in a household filled with warmth and creativity.

Ruriko's passion for art was not just a personal pursuit but a professional one as well. Her artistic talents shone brightly in her silk painting and wearable art. Her ability to capture the essence of her subjects in her drawings and paintings was much admired. Her love for art history, travel, sailing, competitive fencing, literature, and film enriched her life and the lives of those around her.

Ruriko and George were the proud owners of Schau's Delicatessen and Catering, a fixture in Hackensack for three decades.  After retiring from the deli, she brought beauty into the world through her work at the boutique Ginger N' Cream in Westwood and during her time at Nordstrom in the Garden State Plaza in Paramus.

Ruriko leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, George, her daughters, Alexandra and Elizabeth, and the memories of her late brother, Hector Calvano, and her parents, Louis Calvano and Mieko Takahashi Calvano. Ruriko's spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and her influence will be felt for generations to come.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to CancerCare at www.cancercare.org.  Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall section of the online obituary.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruriko (Calvano) Garbeck, please visit our floral store.