Ruth Endicott

Ruth Endicott, 88, a long-time resident of Edison, passed away peacefully in Lyndhurst, Ohio on February 22, 2026. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to M. Frances and E. Allen McNeil, Ruth grew up in small neighboring towns of Bellevue and Avalon. She graduated from Avalon High School. After business school, she began working at the Heinz Company where she met the dashing yet silly food technologist Bill Endicott. They married in 1958 and shared 59 happy years.

Bill’s work brought moves across the country, including brief stints in California and Florida. They began their family with daughters Elizabeth, Laurie and Carol being born in Pittsburgh. Son Roderick arrived after the family moved to Orville, Ohio. After 4years in Ohio, the Endicotts moved to Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin where they remained for 7 years. Another cross-country move landed Ruth and her crew in Edison, NJ. While raising her brood, Ruth was active in church, Shriners, and was a leader and Cookie Chairman for Girl Scouts. She perfected her cooking and gardening skills. Witty, sociable, and kind, Ruth made many lasting friendships everywhere she lived.

Ruth began a second career as the kids reached her teen years, and her smarts and organizational skills brought her success in the corporate world. She eventually retired from the Sumitomo Corporation, based in Manhattan, where she served as office and personnel manager.

After retirement, Ruth busied herself with her diverse interests. She was active in her church, Presbyterian Women, Red Hats, Daughters of The Nile, and Meals on Wheels. She traveled extensively even while working. Her passport was well stamped by going to Japan, many European countries, the British Isles, and the Rocky Mountains. She was renowned for her cake decorating and made masterpieces of cake and icing tailored to the birthday boy or girl’s interests. Who knew that it was possible to perfectly replicate the image of a border collie in cake form?

Ruth leaves behind many family and friends who love her including: her brother William (Bill) McNeil and his wife Linda McNeil, children: Elizabeth Endicott-Heston and husband Alex Heston, Laurie Thomas and her husband Geoff Thomas, Carol Endicott, and Rod Endicott, grandchildren: Amelia Heston M.D. and her husband Bradley Marchese M.D., Michael Lai Endicott and his wife Jeanie Lai Endicott, and Philip Heston, great grandchildren: Noelle Marchese and Rowan Marchese. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at the Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 568 Middlesex Ave (Rt.27), Metuchen from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church, 270 Woodbridge Ave., Metuchen at 10 AM. Entombment will follow at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens in Iselin, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation or the Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.shrinerschildrens.org