Ruth E. Leitch

Ruth Emma Leitch age 95, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully Nov. 7, 2016 while in the company of family and in the comfort of her home at Clark on Keller Lake. Ruth and her identical twin Ruby were born in the Spring of 1921 to Peter and Emma Wedhorn. Ruth is preceded in death by parents, her husband of 68 years Doug, their infant son Robert Douglas “Bobby” and her siblings Ruby, Bobby (who died at age 10) and Norman. Surviving are her children Stuart Leitch, Dona (Ed) Martin, James (Melissa) Leitch, Susan Beckwith and Carol Leitch as well as 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 8 nieces and nephews and her sister-in-law Bette Claytor. Ruth and Doug were members of St Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 30 years where they sang faithfully in the choir. Through the years Ruth and Doug enjoyed camping, sailing, traveling and summering at their trailer. Ruth loved her family well and deeply by word and deed. She enjoyed painting, sewing, knitting, crochet, needlework and gardening as well as physical activities such as walking and swimming. She trusted her Lord in life’s many challenges. We will miss Mom’s spontaneous joy at seeing each of us through all her years, her stories of her youth and her unconditional love. Public visitation will take place Friday Nov. 18, 2016 6-8 pm at Reyers North Valley Chapel (2815 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids MI 49505). An addition visitation will take place on Saturday, Nov 19, 2016 from 2-3 pm at the Clark Retirement Community Chapel (1551 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506) followed by Ruth’s Memorial Service at 3 pm officiated by Pastor Mary Loring. Memorial contributions may be made to Clark Retirement Community Foundation (1551 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506). As a little girl Carol summed up our feelings by saying “We love her, do we!” Stuart recently said “We should all learn from Mom to embrace change.” We know that she indeed is “embracing change” once again! “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”, Mom’s greatest adventure of living.