Momma, missing you, loving you, always and forever.

Happy New Year Ruth. It is 2024 and I wonder what this year will bring. I don’t handle the cold weather like I use to. When did any activity become work? I can see you at Larry’s and my wedding my maid of honor. You were helpful in my growing up. I love you and miss you

Momma, your b day will always be special in my heart. I miss you... your laugh and love, words do no justice... love you always.

Hello Ruth. It is your birthday. Much to my surprise I’m 85 years old. I wonder when God will want me to be there. I keep talking and with Josie we help people to smile. I’m more tired and always wonder what my health will do next. I love you and miss you. Happy Birthday Ruth.  My older sister

Ruth you have left me with so many memories. They are all special. When I heard any of the special pianist this fall I had memories and tears. I miss you the way we use to be. I have one funny thing to tell you. I use to be a soprano now I’m a base when I can sing. I love you and miss you. Joanie

momma........

Happy birthday Momma! Missing you always, loving you forever...

Happy Birthday Ruth. I miss you. I love you. I went through all the pictures. It brought back all the memories of you my older sister. You were always there for me. I can’t believe I’m 84. I never thought I’d live to be older and still moving. I will get ahold of Beth. She reminds me of you. I love you my special sister.

I’ve been missing you off and on but mostly during this time. John and I still talk once in awhile. He and Janet moved near Melina and Mike. They r building a new home there. On June 13th I was taken to the hospital. On July2nd I was moved into Slyvan Woods. I get 3 meals every day. It was decided I have to eat better. I miss my home but now I have a new home. Josie is with me and keeps me moving. I love
You and miss you Ruth. 

Mom, 7 years ago your light left this world. Today I see your glow in the hearts and eyes of your great-grandkids. They didn't get to hear you sing or have you hold them in your arms, but they sparkle with your love and heart. They sing and dance to your song. They fill our life with so much love like you did. And your grandkids are just freaking amazing! You would be so proud. Thanks for everything that you did for all of us. We miss and love you always.
Today I have an image that I can not shake, it's you and Betty laughing...

Happy birthday momma! You would have been 90 today. Hopefully you and dad are having ice cream. We miss you and think of you often. You are in so much of our lives. You would love your great grandchildren! The world would worry you as it has gone a little crazy, but still you would find a way to make us all smile and have hope of an easier tomorrow. Love you always, B

Happy New Year Ruthie. I have shared many things with you this year. I miss you. I’ve had some rough months but doing so much better. I have a new roomate. Her name is Josie. She is 3months old and weighs 4 lbs. She is active.
I’ve been thinking of our time at Christmas at Strawberry Point. What a change now. Love you and miss our discussions.

in my heart, in my mind, always and forever. miss and love you.

5 years... I will always miss you, always long to talk to you and hear your voice, always wish you were here. Miss and love you

Happy Birthday Ruthie. It seems the year has been long and then I think where did it go. I’ve had a rough July and August so far. I still talk to you once in awhile. We always had special time together. Just wanted you to know you are with me. Love and miss you♥️

Hi Ruthie. I made it through the 1st year without Larry. I did report to him at times. I also told you things you would have laughed at. I think I will be able to do this year better.
God seems to be letting me try some new ideas. My minister wants me to help with every member birthday cards. I said yes. Miss you my ‘older sister’. 

Happy birthday mom - miss and love you

My mom’s wish for her grandchildren

My wish for the future is...

 that you enjoy your grandchildren as much as I enjoy mine.

 that you have a loving family, a happy life, and a sense of worth.

 that you have a faith in God that gives you comfort and peace.

 that you care about people more then you care about things.

 that you are equipped to handle all life's problems with a sense of humor, that you have a love of learning, and that you are granted a happy and healthy life. 

Happy Birthday Ruth. ♥️ I miss you. Larry went to be with you 12-23-2017. I talk to you more this summer. I’m thankful you didn’t have to go through this part. I’m told it will get better. Love you my special “older sister”.

Happy birthday mom. You are always here in our hearts. We still want to pick up the phone, share a story, get a hug... miss and love you.

Happy birthday mom. This will always be your special day. I miss you so much and I treasure the good times that we shared. You are such an inspiration and positive force in my life, the life of my kids and the life of all those who knew you. Love and miss you always, B

Hi Ruth and LeRoy. I miss you both. I have your picture on my desk. As usual you have the smile I remember. We grew up loving Christmas and then we taught our families. I see the folks manger set next to me We are special

Miss you mom... Wish you could hold my beautiful grandson. He's amazing. Wish you could see how much your grandkids learned from you and dad about what's really important in life like kindness and love and family and friends. You would be so proud. We all miss you and dad and love you always and forever - b
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsdlgrnjphg

Never Alone"

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
Your glass never empty
And know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
With every year passing
They mean more than gold
May you win but stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you, stay with you
Baby, you're never alone

Well I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I'm not gonna promise the cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you, stay with you
Baby, you're never alone

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
And when hard times have found you
And your fear surrounds you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you, stay with you
Baby, you're never alone

My love will follow you, stay with you
Baby, you're never alone"

Mom, Today will always be your day. We all miss you and remember how you loved/hated your birthday. Your place in our hearts and our memories is irreplaceable. Today I traveled to Correctionville where you lived till you were 11. I could feel you there and see you as a small child. It was a beautiful, peaceful place. I'm sending you all my love and a special thank you for bring the best mom and nana ever! I hope you know how much we love you and I hope your love heals the grief and loss that I carry deep in my heart. Love you mom! Happy birthday!

We remember Ruth's laugh, smile, wit and love of life, playing hearts, sharing dinner, and the little moments that loomed so large in our lives as a result of her hospitality and love. Ruth & Leroy we miss you.

The Memorial/Dedication Service at Germantown Academy for Ruth Aden was filled with laughter, tears, stories and love. It was just what she would have wanted. Thank you all who attended and supported us. Germantown Academy could not have been more compassionate and wonderful! Thank you. It means the world to Ruth's family. There is now a music practice room with her name on it. For those of you that couldn't be there, please check out the stories tab as I have added the speeches to that. Thanks again to everyone for their love and support.


Donations can still made-
Germantown Academy
Ruth M Aden Memorial Fund
340 Morris Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034

Ruth-Mom-Nana, You filled my life with so much love and happiness. I miss being able to talk to you about our lives. You always had such talent to understand people and make anyone feel warm and welcome. You are such a huge part of our family. There is such an emptiness in my heart that cannot be replaced. I miss you so but I thank you for having lived, I thank you for being my Ruth, my Mom, my children's Nana Ruth and Great Nana Ruth. 
I am sure you are sleeping with the angles. I will keep your kindness, love and guidance will be with me always. Love Phyllis

Happy Birthday Mom! I sang to you this morning, I hope you could hear. I even added "and many more" just the way you use to. You're birthday was such a mixed bag for you. You loved the attention of having a special day but hated getting older. You made your birthday so much fun for all of us because you glowed. You would wear all the crazy hats and buttons I got you. Every store we went into, every person you saw, you would tell "It's my birthday! How old do you think I am?" When the person would guess a much lower number then your actual age, you would throw your head back and laugh. You loved the fact that you always looked so young. You made your birthday so much fun for all of us because you loved anything we got for you. No gift was too small or silly. All gifts got the same thrilled response whether they were homemade or expensive. You loved them all. You made your birthday so much fun because you loved surprises like birthday parties and surprise visits. You loved life and sharing your joy with so many other people. You made your birthday so much fun for all of us because you showered us with love, always. We miss you so much! Happy birthday mom, we love you!

We remember Ruth with love, hospitality, and humor. We are thankful for all three that she invariably shed upon us whenever she had a chance. We celebrate her life, both in time and in eternity. Our hearts go out to LeRoy and wish for him the radical grace God intends for him.
Harold and Mary Jo Ellens

We will be having a Memorial/Dedication for Ruth Aden at Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, PA on August 27 at 4:00 PM. We will be dedicating a Music Practice Room to Ruth which has been made possible due to all the donations that you all have made to her memorial fund at Germantown Academy. We thank you all for your help in making this possible and for your love and support to my dad and our whole family! More info will be posted as it gets closer.

Bill and I will forever miss Ruth's friendliness and loving nature. We are sorry we were not able to say goodbye but we will never, ever forget her.

Dear Beth. Thank you so much for sending this. I loved your mom. She was such a warm, fun loving person. We had such fun in Oxford. I still have some of my brass rubbings (in my laundry room--I wasn't very good at it). I think our two families got together for Thanksgiving over there that year. Our love to your dad--Paul and I have often talked about how hard it will be when that day comes. As your dad says, you and the family are good helps. much love, Betty and Paul

Dear LeRoy and family, I don't seem to be having much luck leaving our message, but, I'll try again. We were so shocked to learn from Beth's note about the death of Ruth this week. I have tried to get in touch with other Wartburg friends to pass on this sad news. Ruth is the 1st one of our "group" to leave us, and we will miss her so much. Homecoming will never be the same without her!  We think your decision to give her Memorial gifts to Germantown Academy is a great way to honor her. I remember how pleased and proud she was to learn that she was going to be "hung" there after her retirement. We DID try to see the wall with her picture when we went to a concert there with our daughter when we were in PA, but must have been looking in the wrong hall, so didn't see it. We will have to try again at another time. In the meantime, we send our deepest sympathy, our prayers, and our love to all of you.
With many "virtual hugs" coming your way, from Barb and Jim

What a wonderful woman--so warm and friendly, fun loving, great sense of humor. We had great times many years ago in Oxford. We remember Thanksgiving there with the two families.

Learning of Ruth's death stirred in Sally and me many memories--Ruth as nurturing parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, loving faithful spouse, loyal encouraging friend, ever helpful and hospitable neighbor, dedicated and effective teacher, faithful and devoted child of God, caring and supportive daughter and sibling, expressive and joyful musician, strong and empathetic woman. In each of these areas of life we have seen and experienced Ruth being Ruth to the glory of God and for the welfare of the people she touched. What a joy it has been! Her infectious good humor and positive outlook brightened many days for us. In certain respects she was savvy and in other respects she was so delightfully naive (making it almost too easy to lure her into a joke "set up.") We offer our prayers for your extended family during this time of your grief. LeRoy, out of the love you and Ruth shared "together" emerged your loving family who now--with you and your memories of Ruth--together will get through this. Let us all together rejoice and give thanks that God choose to be present in our lives through Ruth. God is revealed as loving and present. Ruth was revealed as a faithful conduit of his love.
Love, Marty and Sally Roth

With gratitude, tenderness, and a deep sense of being blessed my wife Dagny and I remember Ruth. So many memories pass through my mind now but of special importance was her warm hospitality and wonderful sense of humor. They sustained us and enriched our experience at LTSP during our time there from 1983-1988. To Leroy, our heartfelt condolences. May the faith you helped engender in others as pastor and professor now sustain you in your grief. You are both beautiful people, a wonderful couple, and true witnesses to Christ. Rest in Peace Ruth. God bless and keep you and your family Leroy.

Just found out about Ruth's death today. My wife Marie and I were sad to hear this news.

Ruth was a lovely, kind and upbeat person who showed that she cared about people. We are better people for having known her. We will miss her dearly.

Update - As most of you know my mom loved her time at Germantown Academy and that became a second family to her for over 25 years of her life. She loved everything about GA - the kids, the teachers, the administrators, the support staff, the parents, the campus and the whole package. Because of my mom's love for Germantown Academy and GA's love and appreciation for her, my dad and our whole family have decided to raise enough money for the Ruth M Aden Memorial fund at Germantown to have a meaningful and long lasting memorial to her. Please join us in this effort, and send any donations for my mom to Germantown Academy Ruth M Aden Memorial Fund. The address is:

Germantown Academy - Ruth Aden Memorial Fund
340 Morris Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034

Thank you for your help and for your continued love, prayers and support!

I am so saddened to learn today of Ruth's passing. She and LeRoy have been such warm, caring mentors to us over the years -- even entrusting to us the seminary campus house they loved. Thank you for posting all these beautiful photos, reminding me of Ruth's great smile and laugh that I have missed in the years we've not seen each other. Heaven is enriched by her presence there. My heartfelt condolences to LeRoy and all of the family.

Ruth will be missed be all! She touched many lives. I will always remember her quick wit, stories and laughter! My prayers of comfort and peace in this very difficult time go to all the family ❤️

We have decided not to have another memorial service for my mom in Pennsylvania, and we wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible. Please forward this information to anyone that might have been planning to attend. We are sorry if this causes any problems for anyone and we can not even begin to express how much we appreciate the cards, emails and tributes to mom. They mean so much to my dad and to all of us and provide comfort and wonderful memories. Please visit her website http://www.forevermissed.com/ruth-m-aden/#about .

We are going to be working on establishing a fund with Germantown Academy that will serve as a memorial to Ruth. We are in the beginning stages of establishing this and we will let you know as things progress.

Please look at the section "her life" to see the changes in service and donations. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Beth

My dad and our whole family want to thank everyone who has been sending cards filled with such love and stories about Ruth! It helps to hear from everyone. Thanks.

So very, very sorry to hear about Ruth! She truly sparkled and we all have missed her down in Tampa. Sending much love to the family and hoping you all find comfort in your many wonderful memories!!

We are sending a special thank you to everyone who came to mom's memorial service and made it so special and supported us with love, laughter and hope. Thank you for the time you took out of very busy schedules. For the hugs and the memories you shared. For the plans for future visits to look forward to. Preparing for service was tough as we miss her so much and know that she would have loved to be there, but in the days ahead the service and the support of all of you will provide comfort and hope. Thank you so much. We love you all, Beth

To Uncle LeRoy, Beth, Ken, David, Phyllis and families:
We can't be with you in person, but know that we are with you in spirit.
Mardella and I will always remember Ruth.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you Peace. Numbers 6

Ruth: The Together Couple
Together, we left the small towns of the midwest and sought a much wider world, including a year in Oxford.
Together, we became teachers of young people and tried to shape generations to come.
Together, we loved our children, enjoyed our grandchildren, and noted the implications of great grandchildren. 
Together, we clung to each other and said, "Thank God, we have each other.", knowing that some day we might be separated, 
Together, we enjoyed sixty-three years of our lives and honored each other "til death do us part."
Now that world is shattered and I must go it alone, thankfully with the support of loved ones and friends.

Family, I have such good memories of times with Aunt Ruth. So much love and laughter. I will always remember her singing and dancing with my children. Wish we could be there with all of you. Our thoughts are with you.

As a friend of Joan, I am sorry I never got to meet Ruth. The wonderful tributes that were left show what a wonderful woman she was. God Bless you al.

I feel so blessed to have known Ruth. She generously and enthusiastically gave her friendship, prayers, support, and musical talents to everyone. She was one of the most positive persons I have ever met. She leaves a "legacy" that will remain in the hearts of all who knew her. Nancy Jones

Ruth was like a mother to me for the whole year the family came to England many years ago. She had been such a good friend. She was the best person anyone could ever know. We will miss you.

Ruth was like a loving mother to all of us who worked with her at G.A.
Every day she would visit and share a part of her life and ours.Her ability to see the humor in many situations lightened our lives and her real compassion gave us strength.Happy memories of Ruth will always be with me.