On January 24, 2021, Ruth (Ruthie) Young Faulkner Howe, devoted wife, loving mother, and doting “Gran” to her grandkids, great-grandkids, and many who just wanted to be her grandkids, was reunited with her Lord and Savior and her beloved husband Wilson who no doubt greeted her with his characteristic, “Good to see you, Darlin’.”
And a darling she was. A southern belle through and through, Ruth was born in Memphis Tennessee and grew up in Helena Arkansas, the only daughter of Thomas Howard Faulkner and Eutha Jane Young Faulkner. Out of tragedy came some of Ruth’s greatest blessings: at 14 she lost her mother but her father soon remarried, bringing her a loving stepmother, Tora Tetley, two much-beloved step-siblings, Robert (Bob) and Suzanne (Suzie) Tetley Dougherty, and eventually a sister, Barbara (Tooky) Faulkner Frolik, one of her closest friends until the end.
After attending Sweetbriar College and graduating from the University of Arkansas, Ruth went on a colorful, two-year adventure to New York City where she worked as a typist for a publishing company and lived the “big city life,” rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous while making lifelong friends. She followed her time in New York with a two-month adventure to Europe where she fell in love with art, history, and travel. She was especially fond of Capri and often talked about it being her favorite place in the world. Upon returning home to Arkansas, she met and married Wilson, a renaissance man, equal parts WW2 combat pilot, farmer, and inventor, and moved to Colorado. Once in Colorado, Ruth started her career teaching second graders in the St. Vrain Valley at Rocky Mountain and Columbine elementaries. When she was asked recently why she chose second graders, she said somewhat reluctantly, “Because first graders...they don’t know anything!”
During their 55-year marriage, Ruth’s love for Wilson – and for the life they were building together – was like her smile: radiant and infectious. Ruth and Wilson enjoyed traveling to visit family and their timeshare in Mazatlan (where Ruth would befriend every resort worker and leave them notes of gratitude and tips when she departed), spending time at the family cabin, dinners out to La Cocina and the Fox Hill Country Club, gardening, golfing, hiking (Ruth conquered Longs Peak at 50), and throwing wonderful parties celebrating important milestones where she could be counted on to prepare the finest beef tenderloin and cheesy potatoes this side of the Mississippi. But Ruth and Wilson were proudest of, and most happy when they were with, their family. They never missed an opportunity to cheer on their children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren in their endeavors, and win or lose, always offered ice cream afterward.
Following Wilson’s death, Ruth leaned heavily on her family and friends, including her PEO Chapter CJ sisters, Red Hat teacher’s group, various Bridge Clubs and friends in the United Church of Christ choir with whom she sang with for over 80 years. Her favorite songs – “Oh Happy Day” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – graced her final days. An ally of the arts and patron of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, Ruth was fond of saying, “Music is the voice of God.” When she passed, the radio in her room was turned on, no doubt summoning her closer to Him.
Ruth is survived by her cherished children, two daughters, Laurie Flanders (John) and Maggie Bauer (Dan) and son Tom Howe; eight grandchildren, for whom no request was ever off the table: Katie Gaddis (Chris), Phil Schell (Sara), Rachel and Emma Bauer, Thomas Bauer, Carolyn Flanders Martens (Rob), Sarah Flanders Davis (Gregg), and Laura Flanders Wilson (Dug); 14 great-grandkids who, like their parents before them, called her Gran and feel her loss deeply; and her stepbrother Robert Tetley and sister Barbara (Tooky) Faulkner Frolik, who entered her life in its most pivotal stage and never let her down.
The Howe family was known to celebrate important milestones with well-meaning but poorly executed dance routines intended to embarrass the honoree but usually just embarrassing the performers. One famous Broadway show tune was a family favorite and is apropos of Ruth’s life and legacy:
One singular sensation, every little step she takes
One thrilling combination, every move that she makes
One smile and suddenly nobody else will do
You know you'll never be lonely with you-know-who
Mom/Gran/Ruth, you truly were One in a million.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on February 14, 2021 at 1pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a live stream will be made available with the link to be provided through family social media accounts.http://ucclongmont.org/youtube or
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85929200541?pwd=eVZGdFliMG5DeC9lczB0azFXT0pOUT09
Meeting ID: 859 2920 0541
Passcode: 187218
or
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
United Church of Christ Longmont, 1500 9th Ave, Longmont, CO 80501
Longmont Symphony Orchestra, 515 Kimbark St Suite 105, Longmont, CO 80501
Crossroads School, PO Box 183 Longmont, CO 80502
Thanks to our community of friends for your love and support.
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