Ruth E. Leitch

Ruth Elizabeth Crane Leitch Ruth Elizabeth Crane Leitch, 95, passed away peacefully at the Laurels on Monday, January 6, 2020. She was born December 2, 1924 in Newton MA to the late Robert F. Crane and Grace M. Walsh. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Emily Ruth Leitch Griffith and her siblings Robert Crane, Maurice Crane, Richard Crane, Grace Crane Johnson and Dorothy Crane Harmon and ex-husband Meredith Leitch III. Ruth is survived by her loving children, daughters Katherine R. Burns and husband Clark of Frederick MD, Elizabeth Cooke and husband David of Charlottesville VA, Anne Leitch of Rockville MD and son Meredith Leitch IV and wife Pam of Fort Worth TX, and son-in-law Dirk Griffith of Kinston NC. Ruth is also survived by her loving grandchildren, David, Allison and Amy Grace Cooke, John, Robert and Chris Leitch, Maggie and Laura Nacarrato, Olivia Burns and Katie Griffith. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, including Phyllis, Lois, David, Gail, Ronnie and their spouses and children. Ruth grew up in Newton MA and worked in Boston MA after high school. She moved to Venezuela to work and live with her sister Gracie for a few years. She then moved to Saudi Arabia in 1955 to work for Aramco Oil Co. as a legal secretary and met her husband, Meredith Leitch III. They married in 1959 in Rome and moved to Bronxville NY. Shortly after having her first child, Katherine, they moved to Maracibo Venezuela and had three more children, Elizabeth, Meredith IV and Emily. They moved back to the United States in 1964 and had their youngest child, Anne. Ruth settled in Stamford CT and raised her children and then returned to the work force at the Ferguson Public Library in Stamford. She retired to Melbourne Beach FL where her sister Dottie and brother Maurice lived in 1985 and had many happy years with her family and friends in Florida. In 1993 she moved to Charlottesville and eventually resided with her daughter, Liz in Ivy. She lived at the Laurels for the past 6 years and was lovingly cared for by the whole staff on the dementia Unit. Dr. Lindsey Neal made sure she was well cared for and made Ruth’s journey so comfortable. Ruthie loved her family, reading, a good crossword puzzle and traveling. She was always up for an adventure and laughter was frequent and prolonged with her around. She loved a cup of hot tea and cookies with friends and family and we all have memories our “cuppa” with Nana. She will be greatly missed by many but we know she is having a wonderful time in heaven with all those that have been waiting for her. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held Saturday January 25th at 2pm at St.Paul’s Ivy Church, Owensville Road, Charlottesville VA. A tea and cookies reception will follow her service in the parish hall.