Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
--Edna St. Vincent Millay
A big heart. A kind soul. Always selfless. Those are the first things that immediately come to mind when I think of Mrs. Ruth Engelman. She was the embodiment of all of those things...and so much, much more.
The world at times can be so dark and cold and unkind in so many unexpected ways, but she had made it less so with her light and warmth and spirit. And now even though she is gone, she will forever be that beacon that reminds us that we could always do better...and be better.
We shall continue to cherish---and take solace in---the fact that our paths once crossed, up there in Michigan, many moons ago. Although we had lost touch somewhat---as our paths inevitably diverged, every now and then, when life slows down for a turn, a piece of old memory from those times would get dislodged and freed and lead us to think of her and all the wonders that she had done.
Perhaps someday, somewhere, in some divine way or form, our paths will yet cross once more. But until then...thank you, Ruth, for being there all those years, so tirelessly, so generously.