Jill Ruane

Jill was born in Chattanooga, TN. on April 12, 1949. She was a graduate of G.P.S., and attended Peabody College in Nashville, TN. before graduating from UTC with a BS in Geology, which she used in teaching science at Hixson Jr. High School. After a few years of teaching, she then devoted herself to starting a family.

Jill was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Jeanne Bates McNew.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 36 years, Jim Ruane, brother Doug McNew (Joyce), sister Joan McNew Flores (Robin), daughter Mandy Howard (Neal), son Bo Avel (Leslie), stepson Jim Ruane (Diane), stepdaughter Charisse Howard, eleven grandchildren, and many relatives.

Jill was a woman of unwavering Christian faith, and she lived accordingly. She and husband Jim actively attended Woodland Park Baptist Church for many years, and afterward starting attending Duncan Park Baptist Church in 2019.

Jill was bright, gracious, and tenaciously loyal; she extended a helping hand to any who needed it. She touched many lives.

She was a researcher and a lifetime learner. Her inquisitive nature led her in many directions during her lifetime. One of her proud accomplishments was founding the Chattanooga Regional History Museum. The museum was originally located at the old Missionary Ridge School where she attended school as a child.

Jill was an immensely talented and prolific visual artist. Her many sketches, portraits, and renderings, done mostly in pen or ink, were turned out with pinpoint precision, and her numerous woodcarvings of flora and fauna were exquisite (her turtles, a favorite subject of hers, were so realistically detailed that, upon seeing one for the first time, one was compelled to quickly glance at it again, half expecting to detect movement… also live turtles “flirted” with her carved turtles thinking they were live turtles).

The family feels that it would be impossible to sufficiently thank all those who administered to Jill during her illness. The genuine concern and compassion demonstrated by some caregivers, in various capacities, was humbling. Special thanks go to Gaye Fidelibus, who disrupted her personal life and schedule to make sure she was with us when she was needed, night or day, irrespective of scheduling. Special thanks are also due Jill's cherished friend of many decades, Shirley Prince, who selflessly donated her time, nursing expertise, and unflagging love and support in order to render care and palliation to her friend as she faced the harshest challenge of her life.

A Celebration of Jill’s Life was held in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on Thursday October 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Stephen Barber officiating. Jill was laid to rest in the Tennessee Georgia Memorial Park in Rossville.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com