Obituary for Ruth Paul Mrs. Ruth W. Paul May 23, 1936 – July 18, 2018 Mrs. Ruth Rita Waldron Paul peacefully passed away on July 18, 2018 with family by her side. Ruth was known for her style, elegance, and grace. She always wore a smile that was welcoming and kind and will be remembered for her extraordinary entertaining. She was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and devoted her time among five passions—family, service for others, military duty, gourmet cooking, and the garden clubs of New Jersey. Ruth was born to Ruth Q. and Dr. Thomas J. Waldron in Trenton, NJ on May 23, 1936. She grew up in Seaside Park and Allentown, NJ and attended Mount Saint Mary’s Academy in Watchung. Ruth attended Georgian Court College in Lakewood, NJ where she majored in Fine Studio Arts and Theatre Arts, graduating with honors. In 1956, while at Georgian Court, Ruth met the love of her life, Commander Raymond E. Paul, USN, a naval aviator assigned to helicopter squadron HU-2 at Naval Air Station, Lakehurst. Three months after Ruth’s graduation in 1958, Ruth and Ray were married in Allentown, NJ; remaining in love for more than fifty-five years when Ray passed in 2013. During Commander Paul’s 23 year distinguished naval career, Ruth and Ray moved ten times, including overseas, until transitioning from the Navy and returning to NJ in 1973, residing in Westfield. During the Vietnam War, Ruth became concerned for Commander Paul’s safety and well-being, and took a temporary position as a newspaper reporter for the Allentown Messenger and traveled to Saigon while their three children lived with Ruth’s father Dr. Thomas J. Waldron in Seaside Park. Since 1980, Ruth was an active member of the Garden Club of Westfield, serving as President for two separate terms. In 2016, Ruth was selected by the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs as the recipient of the “Golden Perennial Bloom Award”. She was a leader at the local, state, regional, and national levels, also serving as President of the Garden Club of New Jersey (GCNJ), First Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Chairwoman of nearly every committee over the past four decades. Ruth was described by the current President as one of the pillars of the GCNJ known for her strategic vision, exemplary leadership, and outstanding character. Among her many accomplishments, Ruth was a National Garden Club Accredited Master Flower Show Judge, Master Landscape Design Consultant, and Master Gardening Consultant. Ruth’s volunteer activities included serving as chair, accredited judge, and floral designer for the GCNJ State Flower Show inaugurated under her term as GCNJ President in 2003 and continues to this day. She also worked to create and beautify “Blue Star Memorial Markers” in NJ, which honor servicemen and women nationwide, and originated the idea of a “Blue Star Memorial By-Way Marker” for Westfield in Tamaques Park. Ruth also supported and volunteered in a program called “Garden Therapy” at the Veterans Hospital in Lyons, NJ and was instrumental in establishing The Garden Club of New Jersey “Native and Regional Plant Garden” in Rutgers University Gardens, winner of the “NGC Operation Wildflower National First Place Award” for “Out Door Class Room”, and the “9/11 Freedom Tree Dedication” to commemorate those who perished. Left to cherish Ruth’s memory are her devoted children, Rear Admiral Christopher and Shannon Paul, Elizabeth and Dean Ivins, and Captain Andrew and Commander Barbara Paul, along with eight grandchildren whom she loved dearly, her loving brothers Thomas and Joan Waldron, John and Karen Waldron, and many other close family members and friends, including her gracious, extended family who faithfully serve the federation of 120 garden clubs of the GCNJ. Ruth’s parting sentence as GCNJ President captures her beauty and love of gardening and gardeners: “You are Angels with dirt under your nails, mud on your boots, and flowers in your arms.” Ruth is the truest Angel of us all. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 11th at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Westfield. The family will greet friends following the Mass in the parish hall. Interment will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers and cards, donations be made to the “Garden Club of New Jersey Ruth W. Paul Scholarship”. The GCNJ Scholarship Awards program provides financial aid to students and promotes the study of Horticulture, Floriculture, Landscape Design, Botany, Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Environmental Science, City Planning, and Land Management. Please mail donations to: Garden Club of New Jersey Ruth W. Paul Scholarship, Attention: Kathleen Mullarkey, 126 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Order Flowers Afficher cette page en : Français Traduire Désactiver pour : Anglais Options ▼
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth W Paul 1936 2018. Dooley Colonial Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Westfield, state: New Jersey