Ruth Craig Ingram

Ruth Craig Ingram was born on November 18th, 1928 in Scarsdale, NY, the youngest child of Steven James Craig and Muriel Bryan Craig. Her siblings were Jane Daddesio, James Craig and Bea Cooke. Ruth attended J. F. Cooper Kindergarten where she first met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Ingram.

Ruth trained as a nurse at Sarah Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, New York where she especially enjoyed working in the pediatric ward. It was also at this time that she renewed her connection with Bob Ingram, who had enlisted in the army and was serving in South Korea. Their mothers had suggested that they become pen pals and through that correspondence, the relationship flourished, and they married in 1952. They had four children, Debbie, Mary Jane, Jim and Diane. Ruth was a wonderful mother and wife who devoted all her time to their care and nurture.

After her children were in school, Ruth had an opportunity to follow her passion for working with young children and began teaching in the pre-school at Parkway Presbyterian Church. Her work there developed into her lifelong career as she moved from being an assistant teacher in the 3-year-old class to the 4-year-olds and then kindergarten classes. She was eventually promoted to director of the school and served in that capacity for over a decade. Ruth excelled in this role and loved it. She created an environment where children could flourish as they learned and played and where the teachers felt supported and appreciated.

Ruth’s love of children was apparent in her leadership at the preschool. She took innovative steps, such as welcoming immigrant families and a child with special needs into the school. She created a warm collegial community among her teachers, offering professional development opportunities, taking time to listen, and even enclosing a personal note of encouragement in every paycheck envelope. The teachers, fondly referred to as “the dirty dozen,” became lifelong friends who travelled and celebrated life events together. Ruth also had the joy of seeing five of her grandchildren attend the school at Parkway. In addition to her career at Parkway, Ruth spent many hours volunteering for the STAIR Program (Start the Adventures in Reading) tutoring young readers.

Ruth and Bob spent many summers hosting adult leaders for the Ulster Project, a ministry of reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. They forged many strong friendships with the people they worked with in New Orleans and those they hosted from Northern Ireland. Ruth created a welcoming home where each of the counselors from the Ulster project felt that they were part of the family. Ruth (and Bob when he was alive) traveled to Northern Ireland to visit the friends they had made through this important peacekeeping endeavor.

After retirement, Ruth and Bob enjoyed traveling and their journeys took them to many of the National Parks in the western US and in Canada. They enjoyed several Caribbean cruises, travelled to the British Isles to connect with extended family in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and made two trips to Japan to visit their daughter, Debbie, and her family. They also purchased a condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama with three other couples from their church and enjoyed numerous relaxing weeks at the beach over the years. All their grandchildren carry happy memories of beach time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Soon after moving to Metairie, Bob and Ruth joined Parkway Presbyterian Church. They remained active members and built many lasting relationships. Ruth continued to worship at Parkway for as long as she was able and was always warmly received.

Ruth loved her family and will be deeply missed by her children, Debbie Ingram Schmidt (John), Mary Jane Ingram Parker (Gary Oaks), Jim Ingram (Ginger, deceased), and Diane Sehrt (Bill). Ruth is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who love her and brought her great joy. The family would also like to extend our deepest thanks to the caregivers at Peristyle Old Metairie Residence who cared for Ruth with kindness and professionalism, to Kawana Ford, Ruth’s devoted caregiver and friend, and to Compassus Hospice and Amanda, her nurse, for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ulster Project New Orleans (https://ulsterprojectnola.wordpress.com/donations/) or to the STAIR Program for young readers (https://www.stairnola.org/donateonline).

There will be a visitation and memorial service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. Please join the family in celebrating Ruth Ingram’s life.