Sunday, April 6, 2025
My sincere condolences to all of Ruth's family and caregivers. She was BEYOND wonderful! She was a gem at Beltrone, spreading happiness as she rolled her walker down the hall, into the Cafe, riding the exercise bike, and riding the bus to the grocery store on Tuesdays with me (and others). We went to the Aquarium in Rotterdam recently on an outing from here. We sat together on the grocery shopping bus this past Tuesday when she was excited to be able to prepare a meal for part of her family the next day. I don't know if she got to that...She confided to me she loved ice cream and was a vegetarian but she was going to cook beef for her family. Oh, how she made us laugh. She was caring of all of our emotions. She always extended herself. She would visit another neighbor confined to her apt and bring her bananas. She would bring me recyclable bottles and cans for our building's collection to the Regional Food Bank. She told me of her years growing up in North Dakota/Minnesota as I had lived in South Dakota. She told of her adventures traveling with her brother to Alaska as well as cruises to warmer climates -- I can still see her in her red Alaska jacket she wore some the time. She knew soooo many people, as she cheerfully enquired if others that lived here and used to live in their communities had known them too as she remembered their names, their street addresses and careers... Most of all, she treasured all of YOU so very very much. Her eyes twinkled, she smiled, she spread cheer. Thank you for sharing her with us. I am hopeful to incorporate some of Ruth's joy for living into my life. She did not complain constantly, or really complain at all or dwell on her heartaches, although her eyes would almost fill with tears at times. We knew her vertigo was an issue, but she didn't dwell on it with us. We feel your loss. Ruth was a real gem. RIP Ruth!
