Ruth Chickering Wheeler

Services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 3PM at Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Dr, Fairfax, VA. Reception to follow.

Ruth grew up on Pembroke Street, Pembroke, NH. She is a graduate of Pembroke Academy in Pembroke, NH and Wheelock College in Boston, MA.

After graduation Ruth taught kindergarten in Laconia, NH and through earning a fellowship in Washington, DC from Wheelock College she met and married Arthur Adrian Wheeler, August 15, 1953 in Pembroke and made a home in Fairfax, VA. There they began their family; Anna, Lawrence and Elizabeth Wheeler, and Jonathan Chickering.

In the early 1960’s Ruth and friend Angela Riedel started Pender Hill School at the little Pender United Methodist Church at the corner of West Ox Road and Route 50. She was director from 1962-1997 and she taught preschool there at Pender Hill Preschool throughout those years until her retirement in 1999.

Ruth was a very active member at Pender United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, was a long-standing member of the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship, working on Methodist Men dinners, the Bazaars, Boutiques, Flea Markets and basically anywhere she was needed.

She was an active member of the PTA at Navy School when her children were in attendance there. Everywhere she went she worked sharing her love of children. Her smile and willingness to be involved encouraged those around her to join in the fun. In her later years she was often seen at Senior Citizen dances around the Northern Virginia area. She loved Ballroom dances best but was up for trying any dance being played. She will definitely be dancing in heaven joining husbands, Arthur Wheeler and Earl McKay and beloved friend Paul Hirt.

Ruth leaves behind her children Anna Sue (Wheeler) and Alan Gibbs (Concord, NH), Lawrence Wheeler (Culpepper, VA), Elizabeth (Wheeler) and Ignacio De La O (Danville and Fairfax, VA), Jonathan and Lindsay Chickering (Nokesville, VA). Grandchildren: Christopher Gibbs (New Durham, NH), Jeremy Gibbs (Sanbornton, NH); Deana Sietz (Seattle, WA); Carlos De La O (Raleigh, NC) and Daniela De La O (San Angelo, TX); Cali, Tanner and Kyler Chickering (Nokesville, VA). Great Grandchildren: Michael, Josh, Austin, Caleb and Kendyll Gibbs; a multitude of nieces and nephews, friends and well loved “step and adopted” family.