"Goddess is one part inner beauty. One part outer beauty. And one part 5-inch heels" ~ J. Lo
Attached is a copy of the program we handed out at my mother's memorial.
Also a picture of the cake. One of the Holland America Line Ships And one of my mother, glamorous to the end.
We had a memorial Bon Voyage Party for her on the 17th.
Marilyn
Over 60 people came to participate in a celebration of her life, to honor her kindness
and generosity, and to share their special stories of her.
We served champagne with the Bon Voyage Cake, sang songs, wept a little, and laughed a lot.
She had 98 great years, and we will all miss her.
I like to think that she is cruising somewhere now and will be forever more.
With a Song in My Heart
Ruth Martha Strubbe
May 16, 1915 – September 4, 2013
Ruth Martha Strubbe
May 16, 1915 – September 4, 2013
The eldest of five children, Ruth Martha Henne was born in her grandmother’s bed in Pottsville Pennsylvania. Her twin sister Esther arrived a few hours later. The five Henne children, three girls and two boys, enjoyed growing up in the company of their aunts, uncles, and cousins in upstate Pennsylvania.
Later, the family moved to Philadelphia. Ruth liked to swim and was a championship back diver on the swim team at the local community center. She was a good student, and after she graduated from high school, she worked as an operator at the Bell Telephone Company where she later became a supervisor. She met her husband Edward A. Strubbe while he was a dental student at the University of Pennsylvania. They married in 1942.
She began working at Saks Fifth Avenue in Springfield, New Jersey in 1960. At first, she worked as a switchboard operator, then in the accounting department, and finally as a sales clerk. But she truly found her niche when the management discovered her talent for customer service and made her a Personal Shopper. Accolades poured in from her customers, including one from singer Connie Francis. She began modeling clothing from the designer salon and enjoyed travelling to a variety of venues when Saks put on fashion shows.
She loved music. She sang in church choirs for many years. Her favorite sacred songs were Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring and How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, from Braham’s Requiem. Christmas carols were a special seasonal favorite. She enjoyed the opera and attended many productions with her husband at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and later in San Francisco and in Portland. She liked to sing tunes from Broadway shows and songs from the 30’s and 40’s.
She especially enjoyed the Big Band sound, and she danced to the very end. She loved to twirl, and when a shoemaker resoled her shoes with a synthetic material that grabbed on the floor, she walked back to the store and had him replace the soles with more expensive leather ones so that she could twirl properly.
She adored her children and her grandchildren. And she was absolutely delighted to live long enough to know her two great-grandchildren.
If you were her friend, you were her friend forever. She saved all the cards and letters she received and treasured every message. She constantly wrote little notes of encouragement and love to other people, and surrounded herself with uplifting quotes that she tucked into drawers, her purse, and her pockets. She gave everyone a hug.
She began wearing flowers in her hair on a cruise to Hawaii. She said the flowers were her “trademark.” She sailed on over 50 cruises and travelled to China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, the coast of Africa, around South America and through the Panama Canal. She was adventurous to the end. At 95, she climbed into a canoe and explored the Amazon River in a thunderstorm. But of all, her favorite cruises were those to Hawaii.
She leaves behind her sister Naomi McGovern, her daughters Marilyn Oliver and Beverly Flaminio, grand-daughters Katherine VanZanten, Elizabeth Oliver, and Kelly Flaminio, and great grandchildren Paul and Amanda VanZanten.
Her ashes will be scattered at sea, and she will begin her next cruise.
Bon Voyage Ruth
Just a quick note to send our sincere sympathy to you and family upon learning on the death of your wonderful mother, Ruth. As you have described her life she certainly lived a full and exciting one. May her next voyage be even more of an spirited adventure.
I trust all goes well for you both and look forward to seeing you two in November, should that work out. I wil be heading back to LA to do a tad more house/cat sitting before American Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, Cora Lee has too, too many volunteer committments to be able to accompany me. Whirlygig, (George Madison), may well join me, bit that is yet to be confirmed.
To be continued, at better e-kiosks everywhere!
Fondestos and Cheers, to you and Michaelo, Patrizzio!
Fraud on email so will delete email. Sorry.
Hello Dearest Accolyte!
Just a quick note to say I am delighted to be of service! I hope I am up to the task! I trust all continues to go well for you in the lead-up to this year's VWF and look forward to seeing you almost as soon as we are back in October! Fondestos and Cheers, to you and all VWF staff, Patrizzio!
Lunch
on 18th will probably be fine. Will contact Myrtle and see if she's
free. Would love to come back to Vancouver. still want to find the house
I lived in when I was young! Regards, June
Carcassonne
Today's ride: Today's weight: 80.4kg=177.25lb
Dinner: melon with Prosciutto,Saint Preignan Viognier, (€3/$4.18 rather than the much higher €4/$5.58 I had though we had paid when we first came across sale!)
roast chicken, green beans, new red kartofellage, with butter, tomatoe/fresh mozzarella,
basil from small plant at Super U, Castel Fossibbus, 2010 Domaine Ollier Taillefer, Faugères, (Grand Terroir de Schiste), 14%, (Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), most exppensive bottle to date, €14/$19.52! Hard to believe that such magnificent wine is available for under $20, refined, elegant tannins which meld with, rather than overpower the enticing mouth feel of dark fruit and lingering subtle spice and pepper finish. Overall, not as bold as last night's Saint Christol which we poured, (half a bottle left, uncharacteristically!), with pistachio nougat for dessert. Ate entire meal on the deck, illuminated by first the glowing sunset and then a number of small candles as the soft evening night are enveloped us.
Great
week so far in Paris. Went to the Palace of Versailles very Opulent
Going to Vimy Ridge and Beaumont Hamel today to look back in History.
Patrick James Dunn We were in Carcassonne when you were at Vimy Ridge/Beaumont Hamel. Not sure if you'll have time but if you can you should try to stop to see Le Cité. It would mean leaving the toll highway but you could spend but an hour wandering around and get a very good idea of walled city. Access to site is free, except to the Château, but you don't really need to go inside this complex anyway, given time and what you see. Do recommend a visit to the Basilica however. We were fortunate enough to be there when three young men sang a number of Russian Orthodox hymns. Their voices and the acoustics were phenomenal. Anyway, if you decide you want to stop, once off freeway, (We did the same route going to Carcassonne.), follow the signs into town for La Cité. Before the bridge leading into "new" town, Centre Ville, take a left and follow the signs for Parking. When you come to the first parking area continue around it, bearing in a curve to your right and then swinging left. Follow this road, not far, until you come to a stretch which will have a canal/river on your right. Hereabouts you should find free on street parking, on your left. I have parked here twice already. You'll see the impressive walls, turrets, towers, etc., of the castle, back and and above you. Depending on where you park, just walk to where you get your first view of battlements and head towards them. Cora Lee and I used a set of stairs to reach entrance way which is almost exactly opposite, across village, to main entrance, Tourist Info, (get a free map), near railway station, washrooms, (no toilette paper or soap, but otherwise clean enough), and paid parking area. Jaimie and I followed a narrow, cobbled path to top. On way down, Cora Lee and I took the ramp like roadway, obviously for horses and carts, etc., originally. Easier on her tailbone, rather than stairs. Anyway, well worth a visit, even a brief one, I think. We'll be sitting on the Quai de Dunkerque in Agen, poundin' vino and malt, with chasers of Pastis, playing strip poker until you breeze into town!!! Pic: side from which I've described approach.
Bonjour Patrice
Do hope all is good with you and Corinne en France.
We didn't get into the Gherkin on Saturday despite arriving there at 8am - there were about 2000 people queuing even then! So we joined a small queue for Lloyds of London which was really amazing. Will send you photos separately.
Went to see The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht last night - superb but a little long (3 hours). Henry Goodman, a brilliant Jewish actor, plays the part of Hitler and should get an Oscar for his performance.
Am working today as Kenah on holiday so will just crash when I get home. Weather has been good the last 2 days (c. 21 degrees) so I will have a wander round Holland Park at lunchtime.
My constant banging on about exercise but have had an effect on Mike as he has booked a badminton court tomorrow evening! He's never played before so should be amusing. I am seeing him tomorrow instead of Friday as out with Kenah and Nicola then. We're going to a pizza restaurant in Gloucester Road that has music and dancing. More news later, Penelope xx
Good to hear from you Kjell. Sorry about the weather back home. Yes I have read Barney's Version but I'm sorry to say I haven't seen the movie - something to be addressed soon. As it happens, Barney's Version was a huge hit (the book for sure and I think the movie) in Italy - they love Richler here. Spent the afternoon at Santa Maria Novella (sublime) and at Twisted Jazz Shop (engrossing and expensive pour moi).
Turns out I am the keynote speaker at an Italian academic librarians conference on Friday (I thought it was a casual meeting with librarians and students) - I have to go and prepare. Looking forward to re-connecting in October. Cheers....Paul
Chloe Alexis Dunn shared Project Limelight Society's photo.
Project
Limelight is back! Welcome to our returning Limelight participants and
our brand new friends. We can't wait to see you SHINE!
Patrick James Dunn Is this group associated with Aunt Leah's?
Ayn P Naughty sissy- Much as I am loathe to admit it, inasmuch as I don't watch any of such TV, this skit was hilarious. I guess I really like the fact that they skewer current use of social media so brilliantly! "#Hashtag" Bravo! #Nana snoring!
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