Ruth Healey Dunham

On November 11, 2011, our Mother gracefully, and peacefully, left us to join her best friend and adoring husband in the loving arms of Our Father. The friends and relatives of Ruth Dunham are invited to attend a Celebration of Her Life at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in the Chapel of Hibben United Methodist Church, 690 Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC. ARRANGEMENTS BY J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL. The family will greet friends following the service.

Ruth Leonore Healey was born on February 24, 1927 in New York City, New York to Ruth Hart Healey and Thomas Frederick Healey, an English immigrant and Brew Master of Hull's Brewery in Connecticut. Ruth grew up in New Haven, Connecticut with her sister Jane. Ruth attended Edgewood Park College. The loves of her life were her horses until she met West Point Cadet Mike Dunham. They fell in love and were married October 16, 1948 and began what would be a 62-year friendship and love affair.

Ruth was an amazing and dedicated Air Force wife , "holding down the fort" as Air Force pilot "Ace" spent more hours in the skies than on land (and putting greens!), packing and unpacking to follow him on assignments that would take them from West Coast to East Coast and back again several times in their 26-year Air Force life. She was thrilled to unpack for the final time in their "real home" in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where the beach and "bottoms up" for seashells and magnificent sea treasures, and the flowers and "frannies" (little lizards) would provide heaven on earth for Mom and Dad for another 36 years.

Ruth "kept the home fires burning" as Mike served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and always made sure that the home Daddy returned to was filled with laughter and love. Even in these past months following his death she said she felt as if she was "again waiting for him to come home."

A loving, dedicated and nurturing mother, Ruth gave her four children Pamela Jane ( Pam), Thomas Michael (Tim), Debora Joan (Debi), and Kathleen Ruth (KC) enduring gifts of unconditional love, humor, organization, and devotion to family above all else.

Ruth was the ultimate "Rally Girl." Through many years of pain and illness she always rallied for family events and visits from friends and family (and donuts!). All who knew her throughout her entire life knew her as a gracious and fun-filled hostess. She brought sheer joy to everyone she touched. From her days as a Candy Striper to the Meals on Wheels deliveries that she and Daddy loved to do together, she gave ... she was a true and selfless giver.

Ruth Dunham leaves behind her sister, Jane Powers, her adoring children, Pam and Jack, Tim and Lynn, Debi, KC and Tiger, her grandchildren, Josh, Jey, Nate, Kristi, Jesse, Rachel, Andrew, Morgan, Reina and Christina, her great-grand child, Aiden, and great-grand children to be.

"Hey Rutte" will be desperately missed, but we will all find great joy and comfort in the memories of this joyful, laugh and love-filled woman, mother, wife, sister, and friend to every person that she ever met. Her passion for life flows into us all.

Mom realized that it was Daddy who was waiting for his best friend to "come home" and she is with him now. They will both watch over their loved ones from a place of peace and light secure in the knowledge that the "family circle" will remain whole through their unconditional love.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Ruth's name to the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, Charleston, SC 29406.