Obituary of Ruth L Nelson
Ruth L. Nelson, 91, of 124 Union St. Titusville, passed away Saturday evening March 17, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie after a short illness surrounded by her family.
Ruth was born on July 28, 1926 in Oil City, a daughter of the late Earl and Emma Steiner Bennett.
Ruth was a graduate of Oil City High School, class of 1944 and a graduate of the Oil City School of Nursing. She was employed as a nurse at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., Oil City Hospital, and as a nurse in the operating room at the Titusville Area Hospital. After their children were raised, Ruth became an associate with her husband at Nelson’s Jewelry Store in Titusville as a buyer and engraver.
She was married to Eugene “Gene” Nelson on February 6, 1954 at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Oil City with Rev. Kuhlman officiating. The couple celebrated their 64th anniversary last month.
Ruth was a life member of the Acacia Chapter No. 30 O.E.S.; a member of the Oil City Nurses Alumni; and a member of the Titusville Area Hospital Auxiliary. She joined the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Titusville; a member of the Lutheran Church Women and Altar Guild, as well as bible study groups.
In retirement years, Ruth and Gene vacationed at Crystal Lake Club near Sebring, Florida. She enjoyed swimming, shuffleboard tournaments, golf, and the weekly dinner dances.
Ruth was a kind, gentle person whose friendly smile greeted everyone she met and loved.
She and Gene raised three children; Richard Nelson and friend Ellen of Erie, Linda Armstrong and husband Craig of Perkiomenville, and Thomas Nelson and wife May of Arlington, VA; five grandchildren, Dr. Jenna Snow and husband Brad of Lansdale, Ben Armstrong of Perkiomenville, and Anders, Alex, and Sydney Nelson of Arlington, VA. She is also survived by a sister, Marge Forbes of Titusville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two premature children, and a brother Robert Bennett.
A special thanks to the Guy Forbes, Sr. family for their support and love, and also to the cardiac heart unit at St. Vincent Hospital.
Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM and attend the funeral service there on Wednesday at 11:00 AM with Dr. Barry E. Cressman officiating.
Private interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
The family asks that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children 1645 W. 8th Street Erie, PA 16505.
