Dorothy Ruth Buchanan

Dorothy Ruth Buchanan, age 90, passed away on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at her home in Granville, Ohio. She was born to Louis and Nellie (Houck) Unroe and raised by Pleasant and Jesta Houck (whom she called Poppy and Mommy) in Gallipolis, Ohio. She spent most of her life in Columbus, Ohio, raising five children there with her husband, John Buchanan. She retired from Cardinal Foods and was a member of Lincoln Baptist Church. She loved to read, sew, cook and bake, watch Ohio State football games with her family, and spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; son Mike; brother, Russell; and sister Doris. She is survived by her children Orin Roberts, Ronald Buchanan, Duane (Gloria) Buchanan, and Laura (John) Whittington; half-sisters Nora (Ed) Matthews and Donna (Frank) Richards; Uncle James (Darlene) Houck; sister-in-law Beatrice Unroe; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and other family and friends. Family and friends will celebrate her life at Schoedinger Northeast (1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, Ohio 43230) on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Dorothy (whom many knew by her middle name, Ruth) was a special woman. She was loved by many, and she enjoyed a good laugh. She was as stubborn as they come-and she knew it! She always wanted to do things her way, always "helping" with the project at hand. She was a true character. You never quite knew which Dorothy Ruth would show up when you visited her: Some days, she might box your ears off; others, she might read quietly and contently in her favorite chair. She loved her family fiercely, and she always cared about how they were doing. Their pictures adorned her kitchen walls; she even hung pictures of some select non-family members!

She didn't shy away from discussing the hard-knocks life that she lived. And true to her ornery form, she fought hard until the end, at times even asking God why He had not taken her already. (Her daughter's reply was always "because you, Dorothy Ruth, just won't let Him!") Despite her pain, she set goals that mattered to her. In her final months, for example, she was determined to see her Californian great-grandbabies, whom she hadn't seen in over a year. She did it! And two days before she passed, she joyfully celebrated the 12th birthday of one of her great-grandsons with family at her home.

She was supported by family members and community members alike in her final decades. One of her favorite people was Theresa, a nurse whom Dorothy Ruth called "Grandma" or "T." Theresa was the best medicine the hospital could provide; she always brought out the best in Dorothy Ruth, despite the pain and tough prognosis. In her final years, Hospice of Central Ohio, including Patty, Arianna, Ashley, and Chaplain Brian, cared diligently and compassionately for her, too. Dorothy Ruth truly appreciated the time that each of them spent with her.

She inspired us all, and she taught us invaluable lessons about love and perseverance. She will be truly missed.