I just lost my best buddy. Ruth Ann passed on January 13th due to pneumonia and complications associated with her Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She was diagnosed with MS in 1976. She and I raised 3 children and are blessed with 3 grandchildren and 1 great grand-daughter. The reason for the silhouette of us dancing instead of her photo is because I am hoping people will be attracted to read Ruth Ann’s obituary. Especially folks (and their families) coping with non-curable diseases, to encourage them to continue their fight and determination not to give in to their illness.
When we moved to Cary in 1977, we thought her days of mobility were numbered and she would be wheel-chair bound in a short amount of time. Her strength in God gave her the determination to beat all odds.
Despite her many symptoms, including visual, mobility and swallowing impairments, she also suffered from vertigo, and pain, particularly Trigeminal Neuralgia. She tried her best to exercise daily. It payed off, enabling her to start doing things in her 50’s like biking, hiking and playing tennis. She learned to Scuba Dive at age 55! But best of all, we started dancing again. Ballroom dancing became her absolute joy for the next 20 years. Her eyes glistened with delight as she moved around the floor dancing a waltz, tango, samba or rhumba. She thanked God every day for giving her the opportunity to dance.
She used her background as a Registered Nurse to become the 1st Research Advocate for North Carolina’s MS Society. She worked tirelessly for 30 years to help others with MS cope with this unpredictable and debilitating disease.
Her message to anyone fighting a chronic disease – DON’T EVER GIVE UP TRYING!
She leaves behind Jack, her husband of 59 years (We started 1st grade together). Her best friends were her 3 kids – daughter Karen Palmieri (and her husband Jim); son Dave (and his wife Robyn) and son Mark. Her three grandchildren - Keegan Gallick, Jacob Elias (and his fiancée Chelsea); Mimi Berman (and her husband Dan); and finally, the newest addition to the family, her great grand-daughter Aya Berman.
We will always miss you Ruth Ann! There is no doubt that the lord greeted you saying “this is my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased”.
Her funeral and services will be private for family only, as Ruth Ann wished. We will celebrate her life with love and joy.
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