Ruth Elizabeth Weeks

Ruth Elizabeth Hutchinson Bley Weeks, M. D.

Dr. Ruth B. Weeks, distinguished physician, community leader, and former Regional Governor of the American Women's Association, died at home with her family, on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1925, she was the youngest of four children of Agnes and Melvin Hutchinson. Her three older siblings predeceased her. She attended schools in Toronto and Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada, until 1944 when she joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps. She served in the Canadian Army Show in Canada, England, Belgium, Holland and Germany until 1946. Following her discharge, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, graduating in 1947. She married Kenneth Bley in 1948. After he completed his Ph.D. at Columbia University in 1949, the couple moved to Charlottesville, where Kenneth taught English at the University of Virginia. For the next several years, Dr. Weeks appeared in a number of plays as a member of the Virginia Players. In 1951, she was named Best Actress in the Virginia Players ensemble. Following Ken's death in 1953, Dr. Weeks studied premed and attended the University of Virginia Medical School, graduating in 1960 as one of the first women graduates. She married Peter V.R. Weeks in December, 1959. Dr. Weeks interned at the Bronx Hospital in New York City. Following her internship, the couple moved to Guildford Farm in Greene County. Dr. Weeks trained in Adult and Child Psychiatry at the University of Virginia and later joined the faculty as an Associate Professor of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. Dr. Weeks was the first generation of women faculty at the University of Virginia School of Medicine Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. At the University of Virginia Medical Center, she served as an Associate Member of the Admissions Committee from 1969-1975, on the Electives Committee from 1972 until 1977, and as Chairperson of the Committee for Women from 1975 until 1977. Dr. Weeks also served on the Undergraduate Teaching Committee of the Department of Psychiatry from 1974 until 1977. Dr. Weeks opened a private practice in 1977, which she maintained until retiring in 1994. She came out of retirement six months later to volunteer her services to several causes, including rejoining the faculty of the University of Virginia where she served on the staff of the Under Fives Study Center as Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatric Medicine, Instructional Faculty until her final retirement in 2000. Dr. Weeks was dedicated to service, especially in women's causes. She was elected the first woman president of the Psychiatric Society of Virginia in 1983. She was a founding member, as well as serving on the Advisory Committee and Board, of Planned Parenthood of Charlottesville. She also served on the Boards of Compassionate Friends, Commonwealth Center for Literacy and Cultural Change, and the Charlottesville Free Clinic. Dr. Weeks received many notable honors and awards including: 1982, named one of the 30 most influential people in the community by the Charlottesville Observer; 1984, named Woman of the Year by the Virginia Women's Forum; 1990, recognized by the Psychiatric Society of Virginia for her service as chair of the ethics committee from 1982 until 1989; 1996, awarded the Dorothy Cardwell Knickerbocker Award by Planned Parenthood of Blue Ridge. 2000, received the Women in Medicine Leadership Award for her many contributions to the advancement of women in medicine as one of the most respected clinicians and beloved mentors to several generations of academic physicians. Dr. Weeks was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Society. Dr. Weeks is survived by her daughter, Margaret Weeks and her two daughters, Kiley and Macy: her son, Hugh Weeks and his wife, Bonnie, and son, Charles; stepdaughter, Susan Jackson, her children Lori, Michael, Nigel and Marissa; and her eleven grandchildren. She is also survived by Michael Woodfolk, his wife, Judith, and their children, Christopher, Giana and Noah; and by Patricia Tanksley. Dr. Weeks is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews in Canada, the United States, Scotland, South Africa and Brunei, Indonesia.

There will be a private gathering of friends in the near future to celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge or The Charlottesville Free Clinic.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.