Susan Rush Toland Ruf, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday May 2, 2021.
Sue was born in Philadelphia on December 22, 1925 to Susan Townsend Groome Toland and Robert Toland. She lived in tranquil rural settings in PA and VA. As a child, she loved horseback riding in Chester County with her stepfather Sam Wagner.
She attended Shipley, Garrison Forest (sleeping on sleeping porches year-round) and the University of Pennsylvania – where she studied history and political science – and even taught Russian literature. She was on the modern dance and swim teams.
Sue taught 4th grade at Friends Community School in West Chester and volunteered for the Land Army in Philadelphia during WWII.
In 1955 she moved cross country to Seattle and met her dashing husband, the late Benjamin Ruf, in inquiry class for the Catholic Church. They were married in 1956.
Sue was known for her devout Catholic faith, her nurturing and maternal nature, her incisive wit, and commitment to the prolife movement. She had a love for life in every sense, and she lived life richly. Her joy overflowed to those who were lucky enough to surround her.
She was an adept story-teller and conversationalist. Whether she captured the attention of her grandchildren with a Sugar Mouse tale, or regaled a party with her creative anecdotes, she knew how to communicate. In her mid 90’s she proved wittier than most in their prime.
She was intimately familiar with sacrifice and what it can bring, both in her religious and personal life.
Mrs. Ruf was preceded in death by her late husband Benjamin and is survived by her children Benjamin (Linda) Ruf, Mary (Greg) Radford, Teresa (Bryan) Lipinski, Susanna (Walter) Twetten, David (Alice) Ruf; 26 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; her brother Sam (Mary Ann) Wagner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at St. Agnes Church in West Chester, PA. Visitation at 11:00 am; Rosary at 11:40am; Funeral mass at 12:00 pm. The service will be live streamed https://boxcast.tv/view/susan-ruf-family-funeral-mz2er83amkfplsqqmpx1