1923-2020
At age 96, loving wife of the late, Beverly Thomas Gaulke, passed away on Feb. 5, 2020. They met in Smyrna while she was working at the Delaware State Hospital. Ruth was born July 21, 1923 in Bloxom, Va. and also graduated from Bloxom High School, Class of 1940. Her parents were the late Lola Lewis Young and William H. Young. Two of her sisters, Kathleen (Ralph) German and Estelle (Edgar) Lang predeceased her.
Ruth was always surrounded by members of her family and caregivers. She was predeceased by her husband of of 39 years at the time of his passing in 1986. Ruth is survived by daughters, Nancy Best (Skip), LuAnn Gaulke (West); grandchildren, Shannon DiIorio (Mike), Joe Daliessio (Donetta); sister, Jackie Annis (Upshur); step-grandchildren, Zach and David Best. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren, one step-great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
Ruth was a kind and devoted to her friends and family, always looking forward to their next visit. She was a member of several church choirs in her life and had a love for music in general. She loved to garden, read, play cards, do crafts, solve cryptograms, and other puzzles. She was a Phillies fan until the end. When she was still able, she enjoyed going to church. It was one of the few things she ever asked us for: A ride to church.
We will miss her smiles, sense of humor and the love she always gave to us.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held at Faries Funeral Home Chapel, located at 29 S. Main Street in Smyrna on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. Visitation begins at 2 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m. Another service will be scheduled later at her old church in Bloxom, Va.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com