I got to know Ruth when we attended Bible Study at her cottage in Mountainview Retirement Village. At the time she still had her faithful companion Bonnie and she still drove her faithful VW Beetle.
It was very apparent from early on that Ruth was very steeped in her faith and she loved our Bible Study sessions under the leadership of Leon & Jenny Ghavalas as our leaders.
Ruth was very active in St. Marks from the time she moved to Johannesburg from the East Rand. Indeed she was Chairlady of the Womens’ Association for some time and during her tenure she set up a laundry service attached to the Yeoville branch of Meals on Wheels. Ruth was also an Elder of very long-standing and in her day she would actively visit all the Church Members under her care – something that has sadly fallen away in this modern era.
Ruth was very generous to her family and friends, at the same time as being very rigid in her ways. She dearly loved her family and every one of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She remembered the names and birthday dates of each and every one of her large family and she loved to speak of her family.
I would collect Ruth from her Retirement Village on Communion Sundays and sitting in her wheelchair either before the Service or during tea there was always a steady stream of people wanting to chat to her – she was well loved by the members of St. Marks and she so loved her infrequent attendances at Church when it became difficult for her to be up and dressed in time for the Service.
Ruth missed her 98th birthday by just 16 days. In the last year of her life Ruth often commented that she was ready to go to her best friend, Jesus, and she prayed to the Lord to come and take her home. Her extended family continued with the luncheon arrangements that they had planned for the 19th July, which included family from near and far. There was a short memorial service led by Charles Sangster in the Garden of Remembrance attended by all the family, who then went off to enjoy their happy memories at Ruth’s lunch party.
I really miss you Ruth – rest in peace until we meet again.
Micky van Wyk
Trying to write a few words in memory of Ruth I am stumped – how do you condense memories of such a Lady in a few words when her personality was so overwhelming it would require a book to do full justice to her.
Ruth and I went back 35 – 40 years in the same Bible Study group, Womens’ Association evening branch and Goodwill Circle. Who could forget the annual Morning Market and Ruth’s ‘White Elephant’ stall. Ruth commandeered people to help and it was never a case of “will you”, but “you will”. She could be a Sergeant Major, but we all knew she had St. Marks’ best interests at heart and forgave her ‘bullying’.
As a friend, Ruth was kind and very generous, without making a fuss about it. If anybody attempted to thank her, Ruth would brush it off with “Don’t thank me, my Father told me to do it”.
I will never forget Ruth and will always be grateful to her. She and her beloved Bonnie had a special spot in my heart. I think of Ruth every day and miss our visits and phone calls.
Rest in peace Ruth – you have earned it.
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