Ruth Keeling Hemmingway

Ruth Hemmingway, 96, died peacefully Feb. 27, after a long and fulfilling life. Raised in southwest Virginia, she was the youngest of three daughters and attended the University of Tennessee, where she was a cheerleader and proud Delta Delta Delta sister. In the early 1950s, she had the gumption to become a young airline stewardess for Delta Airlines. Based in Atlanta, she met a recent Georgia Tech grad named Rick Hemmingway. The two eloped when Rick was in Marine Corps bootcamp and they went on to “serve together” in the Marines for 20 years, from California to Washington, D.C. Part of that life was saying goodbye during Rick’s yearlong overseas assignments, including his deployment in Vietnam as a fighter pilot. While Rick served his country, Ruth steadfastly held down the homefront, caring for their two daughters. Never underestimate the fortitude of a military spouse.

After military retirement, the family moved to Tampa, where Rick joined his father’s accounting firm, and they settled in Davis Islands. Ruth had a talent for quickly making friends and embraced her new community. She enjoyed many years serving as a volunteer, including as president of the Tri Delta alumni chapter, on the Tampa Museum of Art board, and for the Symphony Guild, Gasparilla Sidewalk Arts Festival, the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, and Performing Arts Center. In midlife, Ruth discovered a passion for genealogy, researching the branches of her family history long before the word “internet” was ever spoken. That passion led her to new friends and distant family members, and she joined many genealogy societies. A highlight was serving as President General of the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century and shepherding renovations of the Colonial Dames headquarters in Washington, D.C. During her tenure as president, she traveled throughout the United States to encourage the growth of Colonial Dames chapters.

After Rick’s second retirement, Ruth and Rick began yet another adventure, moving to rural Brooksville, where they raised horses. Ruth returned to Tampa after Rick’s passing and lived in Canterbury Tower to be near her daughters.

Ruth will be remembered for her love of family and friends, talent in creating a beautiful home, her vivaciousness and strong spirit. In addition to her husband Rick, she was preceded in death by her sisters Frances and Helen, and her parents Oscar and Ruth Keeling. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Susan Hemmingway, Tampa, and Nancy Watkins (Robert), Tampa; grandchildren, Richard Watkins (Marsha), Dubai, Michael Watkins, Tampa, and Elizabeth Wright (Jarrod), Palm Harbor; great-grandchildren, Thomas, Linda, and Julia Watkins, and Penelope and Leo Wright.

Ruth was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tampa. A private family service will be held in Tampa, followed by burial in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.