Ruth Wolfe

Ruth Marie Nyboe Wolfe aka Nana, Rudy, Gigi and Mom
Dec. 6, 1922 – July 18, 2017

Rudy grew up in Brooklyn N.Y during the depression. She lived on Avenue P with her parents Marie and Edward Nyboe, her “Whole” not Half-sister Evelyn and “Little” brother Kenny. Her Uncles Max and Chris Berg and their families lived next door. The Nyboe-Berg families immigrated from Denmark. A Brooklyn girl she played at beach clubs, Jacob Riis Park and Coney Island. She attended PS22 and was the first student ever to win a Gold Ring for excellence. Ruth and her sister Evie loved going into NY to dance to the music of Big Bands especially Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Her family spent summers in Round Pond, Maine, with "Aunt" Kate from about 1931 on. There Rudy got to picnic on the islands, sail, hike, play tennis and have soo much fun!

The summer of ‘40, while working as a “water and butter girl” at the Mt. Washington Hotel, she met a handsome Dartmouth student working as a brakeman on the Cog Railroad. It was love at first sight and George Raymond Wolfe and Ruth Marie Nyboe where married on January 7, 1943 at the Little Church around the Corner in the Big Apple. Thus began a love story that lasted a lifetime.

Having four children Mike, Sally, Nancy and Dave and moving every 3 – 5 years with Ray's promotions, filled much of the next third of Ruth’s life. But with the changes much was always the same. Ruth was a talented decorator and meticulous housekeeper. Just as she was the ‘Most Popular Girl’ and Class President of her high school graduating class, Ruth made friends easily and kept in touch throughout her life. Ruth loved tennis (watch out for that lefty’s backhand), golf, all forms of skiing and of course cards, especially bridge. She played to win and taught us kids to do the same, as well as to lose with grace. She was a fun mom who taught us manners, how to behave properly in public, to respect our elders and be kind to all. Ruth was always ready to play a game, and as a night-owl stay up and watch an old movie with us (as long as it didn’t have any monsters). Rudy was a stylish dresser always making sure her ensemble matched from shoes to earrings .

In some ways Ruth’s approach to life was expressed in her favorite sayings: “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all”, “Everything in Moderation”, " One Good Deed Deserves Another", or her expletives: “Oh, for Pete’s Sake”, “Oh, forevermore” or if really upset “Phooey!!”.

Rudy lived through good times and sad: the loss of her beloved daughter Nancy, way too soon, of our Dad to Alzheimer’s and sweet granddaughter Abby to cancer. As time passed and losses added, she was always strong and kind. She was also a touch stubborn, a trait that served her well. She enjoyed her last years 10years or so at Aston Gardens where she made so many wonderful friends. She love all her activities "I do one thing a day and that way I stay busy." A staunch Roosevelt Democrat, she volunteered on campaigns and worked elections into her nineties. She was furious about Citizen’s United and corporations given the same rights as people and wrote Justice Roberts about it warning of the threat to the country those decisions posed. She was heartbroken not to have seen the first woman elected President and worried about the danger of Donald Trump. Forevermore!

Ruth Nyboe Wolfe is survived her son Mike (Bonnie), Grand Jeremy (Paula) with Great Cate, Grand Brian (Michele) with Greats Jaxon and Jasmine; daughter Sally (Bruce), Grand Mariah with Greats Gabrielle and Greyson; son Dave, Grand Alex (fiancé Alycia). Ruth loved all her Grands and Greats and always felt lucky to have been able to be a part of their lives.

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The Wolfe's