Avis de décès de Ruth-Diestelhorst Coleman - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

Ruth Diestelhorst Coleman died peacefully on February 18, 2010. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 1, 1916. Ruthie was the widow of Dr. George J. "Pappy" Coleman, her beloved husband of 60 years. She was preceded in death also by her parents, Frederick W. Diestelhorst and Pearl Meadows Diestelhorst, brother, Frederick W. Diestelhorst, Jr. and step-father, Dickey Oglesby. Ruthie grew up in St. Louis where she attended Principia School and Webster Groves High School. In 1935 she moved to Coral Gables with her mother and brother. She was a graduate of the University of Miami where she was a charter member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, a member of the Century Club and the swim team. Ruthie was thrilled to be chosen Miss Florida Co-ed for the University of Florida. Following college, she taught first grade at Miami Springs Elementary School. In 1942 she married the love of her life, Pappy Coleman. They settled in Coral Gables where they lived for 55 years. Ruthie and Pappy honeymooned in Highlands, NC. They loved Highlands so much that the family spent every summer at their beloved cottage Blue Heaven and they later made their seasonal home at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Ruthie was the sunshine in the lives of her family and the warmth of her love touched everyone who knew her! She loved people, especially her grandchildren. She radiated fun, mischief, laughter, love and caring. Ruthie was a living example of Christian joy. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, Women's Dental Auxiliary and was a Gilded Lily volunteer. She and Pappy were founding members of both Riviera Country Club, Coral Gables, FL and Wildcat Cliffs Country Club, Highlands, NC. Later in life Ruthie and Pappy resided at Indian River Colony Club in Melbourne, FL, joining many of their retired friends there. After Pappy's death, Ruthie returned to Miami to be closer to family and resided at East Ridge Retirement Village until her death. She was buried next to her beloved husband at Daytona Memorial Park. Ruthie was a very active lady, enjoying tennis, bridge, music, golf, dancing, aerobics classes, walks, bike rides, entertaining friends, huge family reunions and family weekends at the hunting camp near Arcadia, FL. In the mountains, she adored having her grandkids visit, hiking, picking blueberries and blackberries to make her famous cobblers, picnics and playing softball at Wildcat and Cliffside Lake. The door was always wide open for family and friends at Ruthie and Pappy's. Survivors include three children, Sandra Milton (Robert Merritt), George Jack (Karen) Coleman of Miami, and Linda (William) Gallogly of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Patricia (Art) Newell, Fred (Yulia) Milton, Amanda (Jovanni) Grilli, Kimberly Coleman, Andrew Coleman, Rebecca (Michael) Markham, Russell (Erin) Gallogly; great-grandchildren, Cody and Skylar Newell, Jake Milton, Blake Grillo, Alicia Grilli; sisters-in-law Hattie Coleman, Joanne Coleman, Ruth Diestelhorst; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Marys Episcopal Church, 216 Orange Ave., Daytona Beach, FL, with Father James Taylor officiating. Immediately following the service there will be a reception in Palmer Hall at St. Mary's. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers Foundation or Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 18001 Old Cutler Rd., Palmetto Bay, FL 33157. Arrangements are under the care and trust of Volusia Memorial Funeral Homes, Ormond Beach, FL (386) 673-5373.