Ruth Lillian Whitney, 98

July 30, 1926 - February 18, 2025

Ruth Lillian Whitney, 98, passed away February 18 at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, PA.

The only child of Ruth and George Gleason was born July 30, 1926, on Long Island, NY, and grew up in Mineola, NY, graduating from Mineola High School in 1944. She worked as a nurses’ aide at Nassau Hospital until her marriage to Willard F. (Bill) Whitney in 1950. They lived in South Ozone Park, NY, and later in Centerport, NY, before retiring to Florida in the 1980s. Together they had 4 children: Willard, Pamela, George, and Peter.

Ruth was an active member of Centerport United Methodist Church and the Eastern Star.

She was predeceased by her son George in 1982 and her husband Bill in 2012. Surviving are 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Ruth spent her final years at Masonic Village, where she made many new friends and received excellent care.

Services and interment in Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, NY, will be private.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a contribution in Ruth’s memory to the Masonic Village Employee Relief Fund, Masonic Charities, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, with “Employee Relief Fund” on the memo line or online at
MasonicCharitiesPa.org

Eulogy for Ruth Lillian Whitney from a Granddaughter’s Perspective

Today, we gather to celebrate the extraordinary life of Ruth Lillian Whitney—a woman who touched each of us deeply and whose presence will forever resonate in our hearts. Whether she was known to you as Mom, Ruthie, Grammy, or GG, Ruth’s impact on our lives was immeasurable. God blessed her with a long life, and she was able to experience so many stages of life alongside all of us. She was a woman of humor, wisdom, unwavering love, and, of course, notable honesty.

As I reflect on Grammy’s life, I am continually struck by her remarkable ability to navigate it with such confidence and strength. It was impossible not to marvel at her fortitude and the way she approached every day with such gusto. You always knew where you stood with Grammy—she never hesitated to express her thoughts clearly, firmly, and with great conviction. It was one of the many qualities that made her so unforgettable.

Grammy was a woman who took great pride in the little things. Whether it was the fringe on her rugs, the pristine tidiness of her home, or her immaculately manicured nails, she cared for her surroundings with great attention. But above all, her most valuable possession, which she tended to and nurtured most faithfully, was her family.

Her love and devotion to family were never more evident than in the cards she would write for every special occasion, her phone calls just to check in, and of course, her cookies. Did her cookies become a bit of a family legend, often teased about? Yes, they did. Sometimes Grammy’s intentions were good but her execution left something to be desired. My Uncle Bill remembers when she decided he needed a nutritional boost as he rushed off to school in the morning. So, she put some milk and an egg in the blender and, for extra calcium, tossed in the egg shell. He gulped it down before he felt the shards of shell embedding in his throat. All joking aside, these countless gestures, both big and small, were a testament to the depth of her love for us—a love that was shown in the purest, most genuine ways.

And who could forget the signature sights and sounds of Ruth? The little growls of disapproval that somehow conveyed both annoyance and delight at the same time. Or that unmistakable glance that showed her frustration, but also her tolerance of our antics. It was all part of her unique character—tough, yet with a heart full of warmth and affection.

Grammy’s life was one marked by both great love and great loss. She experienced the joy of a beautiful marriage, became a mother to four children, a grandmother to seven, and a great-grandmother to eleven. But she also endured the heartbreak of losing her son, George, at a young age, and her beloved husband, Bill. Despite these profound losses, she remained resilient. Her strength was an encouragement to all who knew her. She was a woman who knew how to trust God in all circumstances.

Grammy also knew how to find joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved hunting for treasures at yard sales, indulging in Nutty Buddies, savoring Chinese food, and, of course, enjoying a good Bingo game. She had a love for dirty martinis, kitty cats, and a McDonald’s iced coffee. Ruth cherished the small things that brought her happiness, and her delight was as contagious as her giggle.

Toward the end of Grammy’s life, she frequently reminded me that she wanted the “Hymn of Promise” to be a part of her funeral ceremony. She tested me often to make sure I remembered. I did indeed remember. As I reflected on this hymn that Grammy loved so much, it is clear to me how she was able to navigate life’s circumstances with such grace. She knew with confidence that even the darkest aspects of life would one day be made new and be redeemed by Christ and this hope gave her the ability to face each day and see the beauty in God’s good gifts.

Today, as we remember Grammy, we do so not just with sadness, but with immense gratitude for all the ways she shaped our lives. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, resilience, and humor. Grammy was more than just a mother, a wife, or a grandmother—she was the heart of our family, and her spirit will live on in each of us.

Rest in peace, Ruth Lillian Whitney. You will be missed.