Ruth D. Doutrich

Ruth D. Doutrich, 87, of Lancaster, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, surrounded by her family and her dog, Penny. Ruth leaves behind a legacy of determination, perseverance and hard work.

Born in Paradise, PA to the late Earl S. Denlinger Sr. and Emma (Lantz) Denlinger. She graduated from Pequea Valley in 1956. She first worked at Gap National Bank after her high school graduation. She married her late husband, Gordon Doutrich, in 1959. Ruth lived a full life dedicated to her family, friends and businesses. Ruth was a woman with vision and perseverance which was the driving force to the start of Doutrich Homes. Ruth and Gordon started Doutrich Homes in 1959 and it came to be a successful custom home builder in Lancaster and Chester County. With the success of building custom homes, she then founded Paradise Custom Kitchens in 1986. Her successful business entrepreneurial vision didn’t stop there. She later started Doutrich Reality and Paradise Self Storage. Along with her business success, Ruth was the owner of a large apartment complex and the owner of other rental properties.

Ruth paved the way for women in the construction field. She was the first woman to sit on the Builders Association. Ruth was an avid Phillies fan. She loved to watch the 76’ers and Phillies Baseball. She enjoyed countless years at her beach house in Ocean City, MD. All who knew her, knew her love for animals, especially dogs. She will be deeply missed by her dog, Penny. She was a member at the Highland Presbyterian Church. Ruth leaves her legacy to her two sons, David Doutrich husband of Mandy of Gap and Tim Doutrich of Lancaster. She will be missed by her twin sister Esther Hammond, wife of Bill Hammond. She is preceded in death by her two brothers, Earl Denlinger Jr. and Ralph Denlinger.

She was proud to be the aunt to Beth, Jan, Susie and Mark. She had six great nieces and nephews, Forrest, Brandon, Hannah, Brooke, Grayson and Evan. She was the loving grandmother to Paige, Falon, Haley, Weston and Allie. And the great grandmother to Parker, Adalyn and Finn.

Visitation and viewing will be from 8am-10am, with a Funeral Service beginning at 10am on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Charles F. Snyder, III Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584. A beautiful lunch will follow after the service at Fireside Tavern. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruth’s honor to Highland Presbyterian Church www.highlandpc.org and to Hospice & Community Care of Lancaster www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org