Mary Jett

Mary Ruth S. Jett NORFOLK - Mary Ruth Silliphant Jett passed away April 16, 2010 and joined God's heavenly community at the age of 75. She was a longtime resident of Norfolk coming to this community in 1956 after attending the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio and graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She started life in Norfolk as a teacher in Mary Calcott Elementary School. Mary Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Rear Adm. William Merrill Silliphant and his wife Jean Morse Silliphant and her son, Rice Arthur Jett III. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Rice Arthur Jett; and children, Ashley Ritchie, her husband Alex and grandchildren, Tyler, Zachary and Haley; also her son, Merrill William Jett, his wife, Jennifer and grandchildren Christopher and Katie Claire. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Ann Lingamfelter and her husband Phil; along with her niece, Elisabeth; and nephews, Robert and Jon. Mary Ruth was blessed with many wonderful friends and loving neighbors, spending most of her married life living in the West Ghent section of Norfolk where her husband lived as a child. Early in her life in Norfolk, she and seven other young women formed a group known as the "Birthday Girls." These ladies formed a close friendship which has lasted more than 40 years. Mary Ruth received great joy and pleasure from this group of ladies as well as kind support during her lengthy illness. She was a former president of the Alice Davis Circle supporting the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. A graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 21. The service will be led by Dr. Craig Wansink, senior pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Norfolk and professor of religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan College. Following the service, a reception will be held at the home of Mary Ruth's daughter, Ashley Ritchie. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the loving care provided to Mary Ruth by all health care providers, especially Dr. Robert Mann and Faye Sykes during a lengthy period of illness. Memorial donations may be made to CHKD in her memory. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.