Ruth Worthington

Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1926, Ruth was the youngest child of Margaret B. Hahn and George W. Hahn. She grew up with her siblings Eleanor, Irene, and George, and later settled with her family in Washington, D.C.

Ruth’s early life was shaped by both joy and loss. After losing her parents by the age of 14, she was lovingly helped along by her older sisters, developing the strength, resilience, and determination that defined her life.

Raised in the Catholic faith, Ruth attended the school at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Northwest Washington, D.C., and later graduated from Immaculata Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.

In 1946, Ruth married William L. Worthington at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Their meeting at a high school football game marked the beginning of a 48-year marriage rooted in family and devotion until Bill’s passing in 1994.

Together, Ruth and Bill—Duke, as he was affectionately called by friends and family—raised four children in the Washington, D.C., and Wheaton, Maryland area before later making their home in Edgewater. In 2021, Ruth moved to Annapolis, where she remained surrounded by family.

Ruth was the dedicated mother of Gloria Worthington Porter (John), William L. Worthington Jr. (Tish), Hilleary Offutt Worthington, and Barry Offutt Worthington (Suzanne); proud grandmother of Katherine Porter Reilly (Daniel), Roger W. Porter (Jennifer), Bryant F. Porter (Jessica), and William L. Worthington III (Samantha); and beloved “G.G.” (Great-Granny/Gorgeous Granny) to nine great-grandchildren: Daniel, John Patrick, William, Ryan, Casey, Elizabeth, Jamison, William L. IV, and Georgilyn.

After Bill’s death, Ruth shared 25 years of companionship with Stanley Joseph “Joe” Romanek, fondly known to all the grandchildren as GrandJoe. Ruth and Joe enjoyed their golden years together until his passing in 2024.

Ruth worked in the U.S. Patent Office, First Federal Savings and Loan, Worthington and Associates Land Surveyors, and Riverside Petroleum Company. She provided important and valuable administrative management. Her most important role in life was that of devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Ruth loved family gatherings, crab feasts, holidays, boating, crabbing, reunions with special friends, and, of course, Dean Martin. Ruth and Bill were longtime members of Brooke Manor Country Club in Olney, Maryland, where they and their children enjoyed golf, swimming, and many happy hours socializing with dear friends. Ruth took great pride in attending her children’s and grandchildren’s events and milestones, and she delighted in hearing about the details of their lives, always listening with care and concern.

She will be remembered for her ageless beauty, bright smile, beautiful green eyes, humor, sharp memory, determination, kindness, and unmistakable spirit. Always fashionable and always a lady, Ruth was deeply loved.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, William Lyles Worthington; her parents and siblings; her daughter, Gloria; her son-in-law, Dr. John Rogers Porter; and her longtime partner, Joe Romanek.

She is survived by her children William, Hilleary, and Barry; her grandchildren Katherine, Roger, Bryant, and William III; nine great-grandchildren; and extended family and friends who loved her dearly.

Ruth lived nearly a century with grace, grit, humor, beauty, and deep love for family. Her legacy of resilience, devotion, and joyful memories will be cherished always.

The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:00 AM on July 20, 2026 at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester Str. Annapolis, Maryland. A memorial service will be held on July 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, with a reception to follow.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Brightview Annapolis for their kind and gentle care of Ruth.