Mrs. Ruth E. Gelow
Funeral Information
Home:
Pine Hill, NJ
Date of Death:
October 15, 2011
Place of Birth:
Northumberland, PA
Birthdate:
June 30, 1938
Age:
73
Memorial Service:
Thursday, October 20, 2011 1:00 PM Costantino Funeral Home, Berlin Boro, NJ
Visitation:
Thursday, October 13, 2011 12:00-1:00PM at Costantino Funeral Home, Berlin Boro, NJ
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Biography
Gelow
Ruth E.
(nee Beck) On October 15, 2011 of Pine Hill, NJ. Age 73 years. Beloved wife of the late Robert F. of 47 years. Devoted mother of Robert (Cindy), Kelly Salerno (Patrick), Jody Gelow (Don), and Kim Coates (John). Proud grandmother of Kenneth Romano (Kristin), PJ Salerno (Amber), Jenna Gelow, Robert Gelow, Jamie Coates, Josh Coates, and Jackie Gulino (John). Great Grandmother of Kiera and Kayla. She will be missed by her loving pet Robertson. The family will receive relatives and friends Thursday afternoon 12:00PM-1:00PM at the COSTANTINO FUNERAL HOME 231 W. WHITE HORSE PIKE BERLIN, NJ 08009. Funeral service 1:00PM at the funeral home. Cremation and interment will be private. Please, no flowers. Contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice 600 Highland Dr. Westhampton, NJ 08060. For additional information or to email condolences, please visit CostantinoFH.com.
In Loving Memory of
Ruth E. Gelow
June 30, 1938
October 15, 2011
"The Magic of a Mother's Touch"
There's magic in a Mother's touch, and sunshine in her smile. There's love in everything she does to make our lives worthwhile. We can find both hope and courage just by looking in her eyes. Her laughter is a source of joy, her words are warm and wise. There is a kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace, and we see the light of heaven shining from a Mother's face.
Ruth Elaine Beck Eulogy written by Kelly Salerno
She was born June 30th, 1938 In the living room of her family home in Northumberland , PA, she was the youngest of 11 children. She was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, and enjoyed church.
In high school mom loved going to the football games, a love for football stayed with her the rest of her life; She was a diehard Eagles fan but eventually sided with the Washington Redskins. She also spent a lot of summers in Boston with her brother Bob and sister-in-law.
After high school Mom went to work for the Pennsylvania Fish & Game in Harrisburg, PA. Mom's childhood friend Neil was serving in the navy at the time and became friends with Bob Gelow. Bob had a picture of Mile High Hill in Pennsylvania from a magazine and mentioned to Neil that he would really like to see it someday. So Neil invited Bob to come home with him to see Mile High Hill and also set him up on a blind date with a really nice girl that he grew up with. So Neil invited Ruth out to meet his friend on Friday night, but mom turned him down because she was too tired. Her mother overheard the conversation and told her to call Neil back because she was going on that date whether she liked it or not, because you do not turn down an opportunity to date a sailor. So they went to dinner and had a wonderful time. Dad was a shy friendly gentleman. At the end of the date he asked mom if she would write to him while he was away and she agreed. Over the course of the next few months they wrote back and forth to each other and when dad was at the naval station he called mom to tell her he bought her a ring and what his intensions were, when he came home on leave he would ask her parents permission to marry her.
Mom and dad were married June 18,1958 in Bluffton, Indiana and then resided in Newport, Rhode Island. They ended up in Pine Hill, New Jersey with 3 children already in tow, and along came the baby Kimmmie on mom's birthday no less. Mom stayed home with us kids until Dad said honey its time for you to go back to work. She was employed at Camden county vocational school, then was employed as secretary to the mayor of pine hill and also zoning secretary of pine hill. At the time Dad was also a councilman for Pine Hill. She absolutely loved politics. At many family gatherings, we would always tell people, don't mention Politics, because we knew it was going to be an all night debate. Mom then moved on to hold a few administrative positions at the University of Pennsylvania, ending up in the Alumni Relations department, that she thrived in. Dad was also employed at the university, so the two of them got to ride to work together every day, yes lots of quality time. As years went on they were able to spend many vacations in ocean city and Jensen beach in Florida. When they retired, they spent the winters in Florida and the summers back home. Mom had many artistic talents, she did ceramics, quilting, calligraphy, silk flower arranging and she was also a collector, her and dad had a passion for antiques.
Mimi enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up and watching what they have accomplished. After dad passed, we spent as much time as we could with her to keep her happy so she wouldn't be depressed. In December 2007, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was operated on in February 2008 where they did a colon resection, appendectomy and partial liver removal and exceeded all the doctors' expectations.
Mom then followed up with chemotherapy for the next 3 years and unfortunately the chemo took its toll on her. However, mom gave one hell of a fight and we will always remember her strength and courage throughout her ordeal. Having mom home with pat and I gave us time, at night when she was relaxed, she would tell us stories of when she was growing up, she shared so many happy memories. On Saturday, October 8th we took her for what we didn't know at the time, would be her last trip to the Ocean City Fall Festival, she had such a wonderful time with all her girls. We take comfort in knowing that she's with our dad now. Her last few days she kept telling us that dad was coming for her, how handsome he was, and that he is the total package. It was time to take his hand ,and be with dad., we never wanted to say goodbye,,,,,,So,,,,,,,,We will say good night mom,,,,,we love you ..sweet dreams...
In closing, the family would like to thank her friends in her neighborhood, who have been there for her & dad all these years. They treasured your friendships and loved every one of you. The way you rallied around her when Daddy passed, the help you gave her, and the way you watched over her, We are truly blessed and grateful.
A special Thank You to Denise Rozzelle, who took care of Mom in her final weeks. She quickly became a friend and family member. She went above and beyond her job, befriending my Mom and keeping her comfortable and keeping our family informed. At the most difficult time, she showed us how to say goodbye and we will always be grateful. Thank You Denise.
Finally, the family would like to thank everyone for coming and making it such a beautiful Tribute to our Mom Ruth Gelow.
Ruth E.
(nee Beck) On October 15, 2011 of Pine Hill, NJ. Age 73 years. Beloved wife of the late Robert F. of 47 years. Devoted mother of Robert (Cindy), Kelly Salerno (Patrick), Jody Gelow (Don), and Kim Coates (John). Proud grandmother of Kenneth Romano (Kristin), PJ Salerno (Amber), Jenna Gelow, Robert Gelow, Jamie Coates, Josh Coates, and Jackie Gulino (John). Great Grandmother of Kiera and Kayla. She will be missed by her loving pet Robertson. The family will receive relatives and friends Thursday afternoon 12:00PM-1:00PM at the COSTANTINO FUNERAL HOME 231 W. WHITE HORSE PIKE BERLIN, NJ 08009. Funeral service 1:00PM at the funeral home. Cremation and interment will be private. Please, no flowers. Contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice 600 Highland Dr. Westhampton, NJ 08060. For additional information or to email condolences, please visit CostantinoFH.com.
In Loving Memory of
Ruth E. Gelow
June 30, 1938
October 15, 2011
"The Magic of a Mother's Touch"
There's magic in a Mother's touch, and sunshine in her smile. There's love in everything she does to make our lives worthwhile. We can find both hope and courage just by looking in her eyes. Her laughter is a source of joy, her words are warm and wise. There is a kindness and compassion to be found in her embrace, and we see the light of heaven shining from a Mother's face.
Ruth Elaine Beck Eulogy written by Kelly Salerno
She was born June 30th, 1938 In the living room of her family home in Northumberland , PA, she was the youngest of 11 children. She was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, and enjoyed church.
In high school mom loved going to the football games, a love for football stayed with her the rest of her life; She was a diehard Eagles fan but eventually sided with the Washington Redskins. She also spent a lot of summers in Boston with her brother Bob and sister-in-law.
After high school Mom went to work for the Pennsylvania Fish & Game in Harrisburg, PA. Mom's childhood friend Neil was serving in the navy at the time and became friends with Bob Gelow. Bob had a picture of Mile High Hill in Pennsylvania from a magazine and mentioned to Neil that he would really like to see it someday. So Neil invited Bob to come home with him to see Mile High Hill and also set him up on a blind date with a really nice girl that he grew up with. So Neil invited Ruth out to meet his friend on Friday night, but mom turned him down because she was too tired. Her mother overheard the conversation and told her to call Neil back because she was going on that date whether she liked it or not, because you do not turn down an opportunity to date a sailor. So they went to dinner and had a wonderful time. Dad was a shy friendly gentleman. At the end of the date he asked mom if she would write to him while he was away and she agreed. Over the course of the next few months they wrote back and forth to each other and when dad was at the naval station he called mom to tell her he bought her a ring and what his intensions were, when he came home on leave he would ask her parents permission to marry her.
Mom and dad were married June 18,1958 in Bluffton, Indiana and then resided in Newport, Rhode Island. They ended up in Pine Hill, New Jersey with 3 children already in tow, and along came the baby Kimmmie on mom's birthday no less. Mom stayed home with us kids until Dad said honey its time for you to go back to work. She was employed at Camden county vocational school, then was employed as secretary to the mayor of pine hill and also zoning secretary of pine hill. At the time Dad was also a councilman for Pine Hill. She absolutely loved politics. At many family gatherings, we would always tell people, don't mention Politics, because we knew it was going to be an all night debate. Mom then moved on to hold a few administrative positions at the University of Pennsylvania, ending up in the Alumni Relations department, that she thrived in. Dad was also employed at the university, so the two of them got to ride to work together every day, yes lots of quality time. As years went on they were able to spend many vacations in ocean city and Jensen beach in Florida. When they retired, they spent the winters in Florida and the summers back home. Mom had many artistic talents, she did ceramics, quilting, calligraphy, silk flower arranging and she was also a collector, her and dad had a passion for antiques.
Mimi enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up and watching what they have accomplished. After dad passed, we spent as much time as we could with her to keep her happy so she wouldn't be depressed. In December 2007, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. She was operated on in February 2008 where they did a colon resection, appendectomy and partial liver removal and exceeded all the doctors' expectations.
Mom then followed up with chemotherapy for the next 3 years and unfortunately the chemo took its toll on her. However, mom gave one hell of a fight and we will always remember her strength and courage throughout her ordeal. Having mom home with pat and I gave us time, at night when she was relaxed, she would tell us stories of when she was growing up, she shared so many happy memories. On Saturday, October 8th we took her for what we didn't know at the time, would be her last trip to the Ocean City Fall Festival, she had such a wonderful time with all her girls. We take comfort in knowing that she's with our dad now. Her last few days she kept telling us that dad was coming for her, how handsome he was, and that he is the total package. It was time to take his hand ,and be with dad., we never wanted to say goodbye,,,,,,So,,,,,,,,We will say good night mom,,,,,we love you ..sweet dreams...
In closing, the family would like to thank her friends in her neighborhood, who have been there for her & dad all these years. They treasured your friendships and loved every one of you. The way you rallied around her when Daddy passed, the help you gave her, and the way you watched over her, We are truly blessed and grateful.
A special Thank You to Denise Rozzelle, who took care of Mom in her final weeks. She quickly became a friend and family member. She went above and beyond her job, befriending my Mom and keeping her comfortable and keeping our family informed. At the most difficult time, she showed us how to say goodbye and we will always be grateful. Thank You Denise.
Finally, the family would like to thank everyone for coming and making it such a beautiful Tribute to our Mom Ruth Gelow.
