Ruth A. Walker

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Aiken High School

Ruth Walker Obituary

Ruth A. Walker
CAMBRIDGE MA - Ruth A. Walker, of Cambridge MA, passed away suddenly, at home, on September 7, 2017. Ruth was born to Jeanne C. and Robert F. Walker, on June 22, 1954 in Elmhurst, IL. Growing up in Fullerton, CA and Aiken, SC she graduated from Aiken High School in 1972 and from Oberlin College, Oberlin OH in 1976.
A respected journalist, Ruth began her career at The Christian Science Monitor with a four-week internship during her freshman year of college. Her work at the Monitor went on to take her across North America, Europe, and Australia. A true citizen of the world, Ruth lived and worked as a foreign correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor in Bonn, Germany and Toronto, Canada before returning to her beloved Boston. Her many interesting assignments ranged from covering the 1995 Bosnian war zone, on the ground, to interviewing various world leaders. Across her career, she served as the Monitor's deputy editor, editorial-page editor, and online news editor before leaving to pursue a freelance career as a writer, editor, and consultant in 2006. Ruth was currently the author of Verbal Energy, a popular weekly column on language and etymology in the Monitor. She was also serving as President of The Society of Professional Consultants.
Ruth's family, friends, and colleagues will miss her sharp wit, her deeply intelligent sense of humor, and her insightful but always loving take on world events and issues.
Left to cherish her memory are her brother and sister-in-law Douglas and Sharyn Walker of Aiken, SC, her nephew and his wife, Andrew and Sarah Jane Sills-Tate Walker, of Columbia, SC and her niece and her husband, Meredith and Patrick Boylan, also of Aiken, SC. Also loving her and missing her will be her extended family of Jack and Mable Hice and Jody and Ralph Courtney of Aiken, and Joshua Courtney and Melia Courtney Bolchoz and their families, of Charlotte, NC and Mt. Pleasant, SC. Family Christmas gatherings will continue to include Ruth in spirit.
A memorial service and gathering of loved ones will take place in the Boston-area at a future date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star on Sep. 17, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Walker

13 Entries

Merrie Mizaras

September 8, 2023

Ruth was a wonderful travel companion...Ruth and the three sisters did a walking tour thru the south of England one summer ..it was glorious! Miss her everyday.❤

Carola Graessner

July 25, 2018

Erst heute habe ich von Ruth's Weitergehen erfahren. Was für ein Schock! 2017 war kein gutes Jahr! Mein Vater starb Ende März. Jetzt freute ich mich auf ein Wiedersehen in 2021 - 40 Jahre nach unserer ersten Begegnung in Boston... Daraus wird nun nichts. Aber die Erinnerungen bleiben! Ich kann sie gar nicht alle aufzählen. Zunächst faszinierten mich ihre guten Deutschkenntnisse. Ich liebte Ihre ruhige, freundliche und gastfreundliche Art, ihr interessiertes Wesen in so vielen Bereichen (Politik, Kultur ...) etc. So bleibt sie für immer als meine gute Freundin in Amerika in Erinnerung.

Tracy Carlson

October 4, 2017

Ruth was always a warm and wise soul, from the time I met her as a back-fence neighbor in elementary school in CA before she moved to Aiken, SC. I was lucky to reconnect with her in Boston a decade ago, and I'm so deeply sorry to learn of her sudden and untimely passing. She was so sweet, intelligent, and caring, and she left an indelible impression on all those who knew her personally. She also touched countless other lives through her work as a journalist and writer. I will miss her greatly.

Cameron Dibble

September 30, 2017

Very sorry to hear this. I knew Ruth at Oberlin through the Christian Science Organization there, although I was in the Conservatory. I always enjoyed her writing, and particularly her etymology column in the Monitor. Wishing comfort to her family.

September 23, 2017

Ruth was a beloved and cherished friend, always so loving & loyal & so bright! always a source of insightful (and often witty) observation and loving friendship.... you will always be couched in my heart, dear friend....

Laurie Forstner

September 20, 2017

At AHS Ruth was a self-possessed scholar with a quiet sense of self and unfailing kindness and respect toward us all. I'm glad she remained true to her gifts and shared them generously. I'll miss thinking of her somewhere in Boston. (AHS '72)

Sandi Justad

September 19, 2017

My mom, my sister, and I all looked forward to Ruth's Weekly Column, in the Chdristan Science Monitor, "Verbal Energy." She found such joy in words and their origins and communicated this joy in winning way. Grateful when paths cross and hearts speak.

Kimberly Korinek

September 19, 2017

I'm so sorry to hear this. Ruth and I were a part of the same Association that met annually, and we only started to get better acquainted recently. Wishing comfort and happy memories to Ruth's family and friends.

Edward Girardet

September 18, 2017

So so sorry to hear this. Ruth was an inspired and dedicated journalist. A great loss.

Louise Benfield

September 17, 2017

My sympathy to Ruth's family and friends.I know she was well loved by those who knew her best. So sad she didn't have more years to use her God given talent. My kindest regards and prayers for her loved ones . Louise Benfield

Tom Regan

September 17, 2017

Ruth was a real pro. Working with her was a true pleasure.She will be missed both personally and professionally.

Susie (Lawhead) Donnelly

September 17, 2017

It sounds like Ruth had a wonderful life well lived. I remember her from Aiken High as being a sweet and generous person. I am so sorry for her loss.

Josephine Pope-Lowman

September 17, 2017

My God bless and keep the Walker Family in his arms. It was a pleasure knowing Ruth. I also worked with Mr. Walker at Kimberly Clark Corporation! May you be blessed and comforted in the days to come.

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