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Obituary for Ruth H. Speers

Obituary for Ruth Speers

April 13, 1923 - April 18, 2018

Ruth H. Speers (nee Hansen), a lifetime resident of Lansdowne, PA, died after a long illness on April 18, 2018, with family at her side. Ruth turned 95 on Friday, April 13th, and that day was able to enjoy the company of family and friends, as well as her pastor, at Kindred Hospital.

A 1941 graduate of Lansdowne High School, she attended Ursinus College, was a homemaker for many years, and later worked as a receptionist and sales clerk.

 Ruth was the senior tenured member of First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne, having joined in 1936. She was an active church member for 82 years, chairing the hospitality committee for decades, and was a longtime member of the church’s bible study group.

 In addition to Ruth’s church vocation, her personal interests and hobbies included sewing, embroidery, gardening, and flowers. An avid reader with a good sense of humor, she also enjoyed travel and sightseeing, with Cape May, New Jersey, being a favorite destination. She was nearly always up for a ride, especially when the flowers were in bloom, the leaves were turning color, or houses were brightly lit with Christmas displays.

A somewhat finicky eater who refused to eat potatoes and onions or anything spicey or containing garlic, she was nevertheless always interested in a good crab cake, provided that it was not contaminated by Old Bay seasoning. Of late, she was a fan of baby back ribs at Miller’s Alehouse. And during her illness, one of her favorite outings was to Governor Printz Park in Essington to watch the tide recede on the Delaware River, while enjoying a soft-serve twist cone from the nearby Richman’s.

Ruth was a supporter of the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra. She was fond of classical music, especially Rachmaninoff, but also liked the music of Neil Diamond, Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, and the duo of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. She was on the resident council at Simpson Gardens, where she lived, and had previously served as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts of Delaware County in various capacities. Most especially, she enjoyed the company of family and friends.

The daughter of George Adolph Hansen and Alice Grason Scott, Ruth was the beloved mother of the late Janet Speers and sister of the late George and Robert Hansen. Survivors include her children, Sandra (Kenneth) Schultz of Accomac, VA, and Robert “Jack” (Barbara) Speers of Springfield, PA; grandchildren Joseph (Jessica) Speers, William (Meaghan) Speers, and John Speers; and great-grandchildren Ava, Aurelia, Aiden, Eve, and John Speers.

Service & Visitation: Friends will gather at 11:30 A.M., followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial Service at noon, on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne, 140 N. Lansdowne Ave. Lansdowne, PA 19050. A reception will follow at the church hall.

Interment: will be private at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.

Contributions: in her memory to First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne, 140 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050, would be preferred.

Arrangements/online condolences: www.Toppitzer.us.