Frances Georgia Ruhl

Frances was born on August 29, 1923 in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts.

She was the daughter of the late George Napoleon Benoit and Frances Sophia Krukowski.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Stanley Ruhl, and her two brothers George and Richard Benoit.

She is survived by her two sisters, Pauline (Benoit) Peters and Mary (Benoit) Osterneck, her three children, Charles Ruhl, Mary Ruhl and Nicole (Ruhl) Fichera, their spouses, Jody (Boswell) Ruhl and Al Fichera, plus her five grandchildren, Christian, Cameron and Eleanor Ruhl and Nina and Alexander Fichera.

She obtained two Associates degrees in Accounting and Business Administration and worked as an accountant for a Harrisburg area H & R Block facility and a YMCA Daycare. She retired from the YMCA at the age of 88. She was previously a portrait photographer at Bowman's department store in Harrisburg.

She was an expert seamstress, able to fashion anything from men's shirts to upholstery. Her particular love was quilting. She created several original designs and displayed them in local craft fairs and at quilting exhibitions. She shared her knowledge sewing as a salesperson at Jo-Ann Fabrics for many years. She was also an exquisite cook; her meatball recipe is legendary.

She loved music…everything from the classics to Eric Clapton, but she lived for Baseball. She was a Yankees fan forever, and after a decade in the Harrisburg area embraced the Phillies as well. A copy of Major League Statistics was always at the ready in her living room.

She was a tough-minded, but kind, considerate and inclusive individual. Her many friends included individuals from all ethnicities, colors, ages and physical and mental abilities. She embraced 'diversity' before it was a popular notion.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine Laboure Parish at 11:00 on August 22.

Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 preceding the mass.

Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery immediately following the mass.

As she loved the color pink, heart shapes and strawberries, she requested that attendees at her funeral wear such themed clothing if they so choose.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: St. Anne's Retirement Community-Angel Fund 3952 Columbia Ave., Columbia, PA 17512.