Ruth Pearce

Ruth Patria Williams Pearce of Forked River, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2015. She was born in Lakewood, NJ, was a life-long resident of Ocean County, and enjoyed spending winters in Stuart, FL. Ruth was a graduate of Point Pleasant Beach H.S. class of 1939. After graduating Asbury Park Business College, she became a legal secretary. She was also a partner with her beloved husband in James M. Pearce Private Investigations. Nana, as her family called her, was devoted to her family and friends. She was always finding something special for each one of them. She loved cooking, knitting and crocheting, reading, crosswords, and of course NASCAR #24. Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Manahawkin, the Women’s Club of Lacey, and was a Red Hat Contessa.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents: Edward A. and Gertrude Lomell Williams; her beloved husband James M. Pearce; and her brother Barry Leland Williams. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Leigh Brethauer of Forked River, NJ; her son and daughter-in-law James R. and Kathy Soltess Pearce of Murrells Inlet, SC; her grandson Jeb Brethauer of Brick, NJ; her granddaughter Kristin Rettino and her husband Anthony of Forked River, NJ; her grandson James R. Pearce of Winter Park, FL; and her loving great-grandchildren: Susan Brethauer, Julianna Rettino, and Anthony (AJ) Rettino.

Visitation will be Friday, September 11th, from 2-4 & 7-9PM, at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street, Toms River, NJ. The service will be 10AM on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be immediately following at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Lakewood, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Ruth’s name to either The Alliance for Lupus Research, 28 West 44th Street, #501, New York, NY 10036, or The Lacey Food Bank, 818 West Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731.