Early this morning, Ruth took her last journey and passed away. Having tucked into bed yesterday, with stronger medicine for her pain and her Pennsylvania quilts keeping her warm, she went peacefully in her sleep. Our hearts break for the loss of an incredible woman - a mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother - but are comforted by the fact that she is no longer in pain.
Ruth was planning, down to her final moments. She informed us that she would celebrate her annual Christmas and birthday party on the 9th, and then she would be ready to go. And she followed that plan, to the letter. Though her body would not let her attend Saturday's gathering, her family and friends toasted in her honor and visited her bedside afterwards. Ruth a was a generous soul, and planned for her life to be celebrated in this time-honored holiday tradition.
Still, we mourn the great emptiness she has left in her wake. Ruth lit up any room with a personality that was larger than life. She left a lasting impression on everyone she met with her intellect, her tenacity, and her keen sense of humor. She often held court in her home and her work, and always had an eye and an ear open for the thoughts of those around her. We remember her "-isms", and always snapped to attention when she began a reflection with "I find it fascinating..."
In all her rambling, from her life in Canada, to Ken's residency and Andrew and David's births in Texas, to her picnic group in Maryland, to her career in D.C., to her globetrotting from Mississippi to Mexico to Texas to Canada and many other stops along this way, Ruth met and befriended countless people. She married Ken and grew a family of sons and daughters-in-law and granddaughters, all of whom she loved and encouraged to "press on to the next steps, whatever they may be." Ruth hardly sat still in body or mind, and when her body became weak and her stamina diminished, her mind worked valiantly to keep processing the world around her. She smiled to hear the words of love and comfort from her friends and family, near and far - of which there were many.
Ruth rambles from this world a loved and respected woman. As we reckon with the loss of her, we cherish her memory and the lessons with which she has left us. As we toasted her on Saturday, we raise a proverbial glass in her memory now: Cheers to Ruth, and her ramblings, and the great wake of loved ones she leaves behind.
3 comments:
Thank you Mary-Frances for your beautiful tribute to Rufh, truly an amazing sister in so many ways. Dave.
Mary-Frances thank you for your kind words. Ruth was a valiant woman and the matriarch of the Dickie clan. She will surely be missed. She was loved by all who knew her. My sincere condolences to all her family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love Rita and Ian 💕💕
Your thoughts on your grandmother, Ruth, were so well said. I met Ruth in 1983 and from the moment we met, I was in awe. She was my manager, my mentor, and most of all my friend. She said the hard things, but in a way that made them into an impactful learning experience. We disagreed a few times, but we always hugged it out. We spoke often, but I never had the opportunity to get to Nova Scotia or Mexico or Jackson, even after frequent invitations. For that, I am truly sorry. I cannot get that time back and I will not do that to another important person in my life. This was a good learning experience for me. Your grandmother, Ruth, loved her family unconditionally, especially the 7 granddaughters. She always bragged about all the accomplishments! i hope that knowing that she is free of pain, walking and talking with her family and other angel friends
gives you joy and peace. She was simply the best. Peppy Walsh
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