Ruth Chambers Greeley

The Greeley family is heartbroken to announce the loss of Ruth Chambers Greeley, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She passed peacefully at Melbourne Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida on January 7, 2024, at the age of 86.

Born in Athol, Kentucky on April 6, 1937, to Louella Burns and William Chambers, Ruth graduated from High School at Midway College, in Midway, KY in 1955. Ruth proudly served in the US Air Force during the Cold War beginning in 1955, assigned to the 30th Air Transport Squadron (MATS) stationed out of Maguire AFB. She participated in Operation Safe Haven (1957). Ruth received an honorable discharge from the USAF in 1958.

Ruth worked as a television production assistant in New York City from 1959 to 1961. While at NBC Television in Rockefeller Center, she met her future husband Herbert Walter Greeley. The were married in Pawcatuck CT in 1961 and remained together for nearly 60 years, until Herbert’s passing in January of 2021.

Ruth and Herb raised two children, James and Christina. The family resided in Mount Vernon NY and spent their summers in Misquamicut RI. She was a loving and dedicated, wife, mother, and homemaker. Additionally, Ruth also worked as a travel agent with Larchmont Travel, Larchmont NY in the 1980’s.

Ruth and Herb retired to the Space Coast and settled in Melbourne, joining Suntree Country Club, playing tennis, and participating in social events. Ruth was a past president of the Suntree Ladies Tennis Association in the late 1990’s. She organized charitable events for Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard and Child Abuse Prevention Task Force of Brevard County during her tenure.

In addition to tennis, Ruth enjoyed attending classical music and Broadway performances.

She is survived by her son, James Greeley; daughter, Christina Brookes; son-in-law, Richard Brookes; grandchildren, Connor, Justin, and Hayley Brookes; sister-in-law, Louise Wheeler; as well as extended family, including loving nieces and nephews and many friends.

Ruth Greeley was a generous and kind soul who will be greatly missed.

In remembrance, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A visitation for Ruth will be held Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Ascension Catholic Church, 2950 North Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, Florida, followed by a funeral mass at 1:00 PM.