Ruth Waickman, affectionately known as “Grandma,” was truly extraordinary in every way. As a dedicated physical education teacher, she inspired students at Hiram College, Oberlin College, and Akron University.
A proud member of the YWCA in Akron, she encountered a memorable character named George, who boldly challenged her to a flip-off on the trampoline. Though he didn’t claim victory in the contest, he captured her heart, leading to a loving marriage that spanned 63 years.
Their adventures began with a honeymoon in a homemade camper, traversing from Mexico to Alaska. They pedaled bicycles from Akron to Toronto and remained vibrant participants in Elderhostel programs. Even in her eighties, Grandma stayed remarkably active, teaching her grandchildren and their friends the joys of rollerskating. Into her nineties, she continued contributing on the farm owned by her daughter in Medina.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Mary-Madeline Waickman (Hendrick Leibrandt) and Ruth Ann Pardo (Ramon), along with her grandchildren, Ramone, Enrique, and Mateo Pardo.
