On October 10th Ruth’s gentle spirit peacefully left her body while at Hospice House Care and Support in Williamsburg. She was born on July 18, 1940 in Newton, MA to Russell Goddard and Dorothy (Jacobsen) Goddard.
Ruth graduated from Middleburg College with a Bachelor’s degree in 1962 and from Drexel Institute of Technology in 1964 where she received a Master of Science in Library Science. She first was employed at the Boston Public Library, then moved to London England and worked at the London School of Tropical Medicine as a cataloging librarian. After returning to Philadelphia she matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in a program that would have resulted in a PhD, where an illness prevented her from completing the program.
Her background in the field of medicine qualified her for a position as a copy editor at WB Saunders, a medical publishing house in Philadelphia. Ruth became a freelance copy editor associated with Saunders. As a former librarian she knew text was only useful if one could easily find the information, so she carefully prepared the indexes and developed loyal clients as a result.
Ruth married Erick Low and they made their home together in VA where they raised and trained Golden Retrievers whom they loved immensely.
Her love for reading continued throughout her life. She was an avid reader of many interests and a “news junkie” of various newspapers and magazines.
Ruth was a charter member of Stone House Presbyterian Church where she served in many roles. Using her spiritual gift of giving, the Outreach Ministry was closest to her heart.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Erick, and her parents. She is lovingly remembered by many, including her sister, Barbara (Dave) Coleman, nieces Diane (Andreas), Karen (Steve), and nephew Timothy, grandniece Kimberly, grandnephews Peter and Daniel, great grandniece Adaline, and numerous cousins. Her close friends were Leif, Kim, Happy, and best friend of 54 years Marilyn.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 27th at 11:00am at Stone House Presbyterian Church, at 9401 Fieldstone Parkway in Toano with Pastor Alex Creager officiating.
Ruth’s passions were reading, animals, helping others and nature. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Ruth may be made to: Union of Concerned Scientists, Inc., Two Battle Square, 6th Floor, Cambridge MA 02138 or Stone House Presbyterian Church/Outreach at 9401 Fieldstone Parkway, Toano, VA 23168.
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