Ruth was born on April 15th, 1945 into the loving and musical family of Carl and Katherine Engler in Madison, Wisconsin. Ruth graduated from High School in 1963 and received a degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1967.
It is no surprise that Ruth grew up in a musical family, her mom played the piano, and dad played the violin, and their music and that of visiting friends made music a part of Ruth’s life from the very beginning. Her first teaching experience was in Marshall, Wisconsin for 2 years teaching where she taught music in grades 1-6 plus junior high and walked across the field to teach high school chorus as well. Ruth was recruited to come to Highland Park, Illinois to teach. “Mrs. Skomurski” as she was known, began teaching at Sherwood in 1970. Over the years she taught at Kennedy, Braeside, West Ridge before settling into splitting her time between Red Oak and Sherwood Schools both of which became warm and nurturing homes away from home for her. Red Oak was special because it was the school her children went to as well. In 2000 she was recognized by the State of Illinois with a “Those Who Excel Award.” She was patient, encouraging and kind, and always excited by a students who came through in a clutch. Ruth also loved teaching piano lessons outside of school and that continued into her retirement.
In 2008 Ruth was married to Stephen Jackson of Deerfield. She is survived by her loving husband, Steve, her three children from previous marriages, Richard Randle, Frances and Jordan Smith, and Sean Skomurski, her caring step-children, Charles and Elana Jackson, Deborah and Grant Pierce, as well as her grandchildren, Jedediah Smith, Heidi and Oliver Jackson, and Morgan and Caitlin Pierce. Ruth cherished her relationship with her sister, Judith and Bruce Schwengel and nieces Michelle and Chris Regala and Erika and Jon Skarda, as well as her great-niece, Rowan Skarda, and great-nephew, Max Regala. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Janet, and brother-in-law, Bruce Schwengel.
Music was a constant in Ruth’s life since the beginning. Some of her fondest memories were of her father playing violin and her mother playing piano, and their home being filled with loved ones and visitors from near and far through the Baha’i Faith. Her love of gardening and nature was inspired by her father who maintained a beautiful garden at their Madison home of which she often spoke.
Ruth’s love of making music with adored friends grew stronger in retirement, leading to the formation of piano and flute duos, like “Lakeside Breeze,” singing quartets (with piano accompaniment), like “Tall Order,” and even partnering with husband, Steve, in a fun-loving ukulele band, “The Hummers and Strummers.” One of Ruth’s greatest joys was singing with the Baha’i House of Worship Choir for regular services, festivals, and recently for “Handel’s Messiah Refreshed!” at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Ruth leaves behind a rich musical legacy, having planted the seeds of rhythm and song in all who came to know her. Her kindness, grace, joyful disposition, musical talent, and love family and friends – as well as Scrabble and jigsaw puzzles - are already dearly missed.
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