Helen Ruth Houser

Helen Ruth Houser (Ruth) passed away on October 5, 2017. She and her twin sister were born February 4, 1926 in Bedford, Pa to Albert and Lucy Widner. She was one of 13 children. The family moved to Jacksonville, FL the same year where she resided her entire life. She attended Assumption School and Landon High School. Ruth worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C. during World War II and then the Western Union in Jacksonville until she met the love of her life, Floyd Houser, and married in 1946. She selflessly devoted her life to providing a caring and loving home for Floyd and their 7 children.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved parents Lucy and Albert Widner, twin sister Ann Lerch, Marie Cook, Gertrude Miller, Albert Widner, Peggy Eastman, Elizabeth Ogden, Edith O’Dwyer, Joseph Widner, Rosalie Ghioto, Norman Widner. Ruth is survived by her husband of 71 years -Floyd M. Houser III, her sister Lucy Mercuri, children– Floyd IV (Susan), Randy (Linda), Philip (LuAnn), Jeanne Cohen (Ronald), Rebecca Augustyniak (Edmund), Jeffrey (Barbara), and Robert (Valbona), 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 6-8pm Monday, October 9, 2017 at Greenlawn Chapel, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32207. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at Assumption Catholic Church, 2403 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32207. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ruth’s memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, (904) 396-7473. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Chapel & Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville FL 32207.

Make a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society: http://svdpusa.plannedgiving.org/giving/5.html

Jacksonville location: http://www.svdpjaxthriftstore.com/donate.html