Ruth Woodburn

Ruth Biddison Woodburn

Nov. 15, 1925 -

Dec. 26, 2010

Ruth Evelyn Biddison Woodburn, 95, of Amherst, died peacefully at home on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. Born in Stuart, Ohio, in 1915 to Silas J. Biddison and Hattie Brill Biddison,

Mrs. Woodburn devoted her life to teaching and her family. She graduated from Ohio University and the University of Maryland, where she earned a master's degree in business and accounting.

Mrs. Woodburn taught at Marjorie Webster Junior College for 25 years. She and her husband, Dr. John Henry Woodburn, were residents of the Washington, D.C., area for 47 years, where

Mrs. Woodburn was active in the Chevy Chase Women's Club and played weekly Bridge games, a lifelong pursuit. Dr. and Mrs. Woodburn were also devoted travelers, leading student groups on trips all over the world through the years.

In 2000, Mrs. Woodburn and her husband moved to Amherst. She was a member of Amherst Presbyterian Church and continued to enjoy weekly Bridge games.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Dr. John Henry Woodburn, and her brother, Thomas Biddison. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Joe Monk; her grandchildren, Chatham Monk and Mavora Monk Donoghue and husband, Vince; her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Donoghue, sister-in-law, Sara Biddison; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A family graveside service will be held in Barlow, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the John and Ruth Woodburn Memorial Writers Fund at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, 154 San Angelo Drive, Amherst, VA 24521.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, 118 Commonwealth Drive, Madison Heights, (434) 929-0055, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneral

home.com.