We didn't call her Grandma, we called her Ruth. To all those that didn't meet her we called her our adopted Grandma Ruth, but all of that is just words. Ruth was our Grandma!
Most people think about events in their lives and say "I remember where I was when..", they develop habits, carry on traditions, eat certain things, trigger certain memories and learn about life from certain people. Other than my mom, Ruth was that person. I remember so many things about spending time with Ruth, before my grandpa passed in 1984 and after...all the way up until graduations.
I remember riding big wheels in her driveway, spending the night and weekends hoping to get to sleep on the 3rd floor, learning how to hit wiffle golf balls in the yard, going down to the basement to pick out our favorite pop in the glass bottles, getting Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers tickets for Christmas, getting into the BIG chest freezer for Mickey Mouse ice cream, saying "open sesame" and the garage door would open, her silver car with the red steering wheel cover, going to craft shows, getting up early to walk around Lake Anna and feed the squirrels, her wet kiss on your cheek to show she cared, searching the tins around the house for candy and helping decorate the house with all of the plastic canvas needlepoint Christmas decorations. 
Christmas memories at Ruth's house fill my brain. Eating ham, watching the adults drink fuzzy navals, eating "Pink Stuff/Cherry Stuff" (which is still carried on today), cookies everywhere, Ruth's egg nog mustache, Janice and her husband talking about Rocky IV when it first came out and my grandpa buying Ruth every size plunger available and sticking them in big boxes of styro-foam peanuts.
Ruth taught us how to cook, she taught us how to do plastic canvas needlepoint, she taught us how to do arts and crafts she showed us love.
Although it has been more than 10 years since I saw her, she never missed the chance to send a birthday card or a letter, no matter where I lived at the time. Even though her writing had gotten worse, you could still read it and the "Love, Ruth" at the end made you feel special.
I will never forget Ruth. Every Christmas when I hang one of my plastic canvas ornaments, every time I go to a craft show with my wife or mom, every time I have Pink Stuff (holiday or not); I will think of the beautiful woman that taught us that stuff. I will think of my Grandma.

Love, 
TIMM (Timmy) TILSON

Being with Ruth, last October. Peter van Deventer, Holland

Grandma Ruth was the one and only "American Grandmother" for my wife Corine and me. Although we were not related by family we were related by friendship and love...

We first met Grandma Ruth when we moved to the US from Holland in the late 1980's to pursue a PhD and a career in special education. We had just finished university in Holland and had little income. In fact, my stioend from Ohio State was "too little to live and too much to die". However, her love and many (used) furniture and household materials kept us a float.

Later in life, we were extremely happy to have our children, Raisa and Yoeri, meet Grandma Ruth as well. Her annual postcards with US dollars will never be forgotten by them.

Last October, I was able to visit Grandma Ruth in her home in Columbus. As always it was very sweet to just sit down, talk and laugh.

Being from a land of wind and water, we truly wish for Grandma Ruth to sail freely between the stars. This is what she deserves!

We love her and we will all miss her dearly,

Peter, Corine, Raisa and Yoeri van Deventer
Leiderdorp, The Netherlands

I was a high school classmate of Janice. My name is Marie (Pirollo) Bevilacqua and   I remember going over to her house many times throughtout the four years of high school.   Her mom was a very sweet women who always was so pleasant to us girls.  My heartfelt sympathy to Janice and her entire family.  
I have not seen Janice in many years(class reunion maybe) but always remember the walks between her house, my house and Cheryl's house listeneing to our transistor radios.
With sympathy,
Marie Bevilacqua

Ruth was my dad's companion and a cherished part of our family, even after his passing. I haven't seen Ruth for awhile but talked and corresponded with her over the years since she moved from Akron.  She was a special Grandma to my kids and a very special person in our lives.  It's sad to hear of her passing but she lived a long, full, wonderful life.  She will always be in our hearts and memories.

Love--Patty, Timmy, Tony, Lora (and special additions Nicole, Mikey and Liz) Tilson

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Ruth H. VanSchelt

6 avril 1919 – 18 avril 2012

Schoedinger Midtown

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