Ruth Eitel

Four childhood friendships formed as a youngster became life-long extended family to Ruth. As these five young women grew and married they continued to share their lives, their families and their confidences. Annual "family" summer picnics supplied enough husbands and children to field two softball teams. The "Five SSGs" have remained true to their pledge never to reveal their name's secret meaning.

After high school Ruth attended secretarial school and became a top-notch stenographer. She worked at Wright’s Aeronautical in Patterson during the early war effort. In 1942 she married her high school sweetheart from Clifton, Bill Eitel. Ruth and Bill traveled across the country to his various Army Air Force assignments. After the war they returned to GI housing in Passaic. In 1951 they settled in Glen Rock to raise their family. When the children were older Ruth began to work at a small family firm, JBL, a precision machine and machine part manufacturer located in Patterson. Ruth was soon promoted to office manager and spent many happy and proud years at JBL.

In later years, Ruth moved to Mahwah where she lived independently and was a joyful caregiver and grandmother to her two young granddaughters. In 2005 Ruth made her final move to Orleans to be with her two daughters and daughter-in-law brought much happiness and peace to Ruth’s last years.

Ruth was the loving mother of Susan Eitel and wife Susan Fleming of Orleans, Marilyn Sanders of Brewster and Douglas Eitel and wife Rosemary of Florida; the devoted grandmother to Christine Nelson and husband Jeff of Virginia and Kimberly Sanders of Brewster; the delighted great grandmother of Aiden Sanders, Colby Tate Nelson and Noah James Nelson. Ruth was predeceased by her brother Robert Westerduin and David Westerduin, his wife Kathi and children Gregory and Katy all of NJ.

Ruth’s family deeply appreciates the care and love she received from the VNA Hospice of Cape Cod. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to VNA Hospice, 434 Rt. 134, Suite D-3, South Dennis, MA 02660 or the charity of your choice.

A visitation hour will be held from 1-2 PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, followed by a service in the funeral home at 2:00 PM. Burial will be done privately at Orleans Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit http://www.nickersonfunerals.com/.