Ruth Joy Outland

Ruth Joy Outland, a long-time resident of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. A memorial service for Mrs. Outland will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Mrs. Outland spent her life in service to others. She was a retired educator, having worked for The Japhet School, in Madison Heights, MI, from 1975-1996. She was also an active community volunteer, contributing her time and managerial skills to many worthy non-profit organizations including several groups associated with the Grosse Pointe Public Schools. She was equally dedicated to her family, and she was an active member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Grosse Pointe Farms for 50 years. Joy was born to Floyd and Mildred Strickland in Chicago, IL, on June 2, 1929. After graduating from Oak Park High School in 1947, she attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in home economics. In 1951 she was also awarded the school's Theta Sig Outstanding Service Cup. Noted contributions to the school included serving as president of the Independent Women's Association, business manager of the school paper and member of the school's Publications Board, member of the Council on Religious Life and the Religious Education Club, and secretary and president of the DePauw Christian Science Organization. After college Joy took a job at Illinois Bell, managing 27 of the company's in-house cafeterias. At that time she was also active in a local Christian Science Monitor Youth Forum group in the Oak Park area. There she met Robert John Outland, whom she married on October 29, 1953. After leaving her paid employment in 1955, she continued to do volunteer work for local neighborhood, political, and Christian Science church organizations until the family moved to Washington D.C. in 1961. Mrs. Outland's first foray into the field of education came about because there was no public kindergarten in the D.C. area at that time. After studying the Montessori educational philosophy and methods, she homeschooled her preschool girls in basic reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science skills and concepts for two years. When the family moved to Grosse Pointe in 1963 and the children were enrolled in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools, Joy continued to support the education of her own and other children as a member and officer in the Monteith School PTO as well as through work as a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader and Cub Scout den mother. In 1971 she was recognized as Monteith School's Mother of the Year due to the many worthwhile programs and activities she organized and supported for the school's children and families. In 1974 Mrs. Outland enrolled her youngest daughter in The Japhet School, a relatively new private school for Christian Scientists in Madison Heights, MI, and began volunteering in the school's library. The next year she was hired to work in the school's business office, and in 1979 she was appointed director and head of school. She continued as director until 1984 when she was named the president, retaining her position as head of school operations, and she continued in that position until her retirement in 1996. She was instrumental during her tenure at The Japhet School in developing and refining the school's mission, purpose, educational philosophy, and commitment to character education along with a strong academic program. Under Mrs. Outland's guidance, the school became a provisional member of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS) and the Independent Schools Association of Central States (ISACS) in 1984 and received full membership in both organizations and accreditation from ISACS in 1991. Mrs. Outland also served as president of AIMS from 1986-1989. After her retirement, Mrs. Outland again focused her energies on serving her family and community through various volunteer activities. She was particularly dedicated to actively supporting the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Grosse Pointe Farms and served the church in many capacities over the years including as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, Reading Room attendant and bookkeeper, lecture committee member and chairman, board member and chairman, treasurer, and first reader. Mrs. Outland and her late husband have four children, Patricia Perry, Ruth M. Outland, Keith Outland, and Carol Outland (Rick Knickerbocker). Their grandchildren are Joy Tegtmeyer, John Tegtmeyer III (Sara), Michael Perry, Elizabeth Joels (Jared), Steven Kistler (Colleen), Andrew Kistler, Carissa Outland Knickerbocker, and Chloe Outland Knickerbocker. They have three great-grandsons, Japhet Tegtmeyer, Alexander Joels, and Jaxom Joels. Mrs. Outland is also remembered fondly by her brother, Judson Strickland (Wanda). Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 282 Chalfonte Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, 48236.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236