Ruth D. Guenther

Ruth E. Donecker Guenther, loving wife of the late Frederick R. Guenther, VMD, devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and true friend to many, died on her 70th wedding anniversary, June 16, 2021. She was 93 years old and a resident of Chandler Hall, marking 68 years as a resident of Newtown. A native of Mount Holly, NJ, she was the daughter of the late John and Adeline (Rosander) Donecker. Ruth was a graduate of Rancocas Valley Regional High School (1946). She met Fred, the love of her life, through a blind date arranged by mutual friends while living in Philadelphia and attending college. In 1950, Fred and Ruth were engaged, and she earned her B.A. from Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. Ruth's first job was as a fashion illustrator for newspaper ads of the George Allen's Women's Store in Philadelphia. Fred and Ruth were married in 1951 and resided in Philadelphia until Fred completed his degree in veterinary medicine in 1952. After a short residence in Danville, Pa., Ruth, Fred, and their infant son, moved to Newtown in 1953. They soon built a combination residence/veterinary office on Richboro Road. A daughter and three more sons would follow in the next ten years. Ruthe has been a member of the Newtown Presbyterian Church for 68 years. She used her artistic talents to create numerous posters for church dinners, functions, and festivals. Ruth was an active member of the former 4F group and a sixty-year member of the Senior Choir. Ruth was a devoted friend to the many people she met through the years. She kept correspondence with childhood classmates, families she had first met on a church trip to Ohio as a teenager, spouses of Fred's veterinary colleagues, Newtown expatriates, as well as her many cousins. An integral member of a weekly tennis group, a Saturday morning breakfast crew, the "Lunch Girls", the Newtown Exchange Club, as well as many groups associated with her church. Ruth was always one to share a kind word, consoling note, and/or a gesture of support to friend or acquaintance. Ruth was keenly interested in you and your interests. She was always pleased to see you and made you feel as though you were the most important person to her. Her firm and sustained hugs were legendary. Fred with Ruth, as homemaker, raised five children and successfully supported each of them to earning a college degree. Ruth returned to painting watercolors as her "nest" emptied; completing many works depicting Newtown landmarks, homes of friends, or scenes of nature. She and Fred enjoyed travel on their own and with the Allo Travellers to countries on five continents and many domestic states. After Fred's passing in 2016, Ruth's children have been providing supportive care. Also preceded in death by her parents, older brother Donald Arthur Donecker, and her grandson Paul Guenther; she is survived, adored, and cherished by her entire family. CHILDREN: Donald Guenther (Daria), Gretchen Weikel (Bruce), David Guenther, Bruce Guenther (Joanne), Mark Guenther (Margaret). GRANDCHILDREN: James Guenther, Rebecca Wagner (Brian), (Stephanie Wolcott), David Weikel (Amy), Daniel Guenther (Jillian), Kathryn McKinley (Chris), Christine Roth (Cory), Michael, Ava, and Aidan Guenther. GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Bryn, Cameron, Elsie, Margot, Emmeline, Greta, Kevin, Delaney, and Guy. The family wishes to express our appreciation and gratitude to the many individuals who provided loving care for Ruthe over the last few years, particularly Joan Marcinko, Dorothy Palmer, and Michelle Stewart. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday July 9th at the Newtown Presbyterian Church, Newtown. Visitation with family 9-11 AM, Service at 11AM, luncheon at 12 PM. Burial to be private. Memorial donations in Ruth's name can be made to Newtown Presbyterian Church – Old Historic Church fund, 25 Chancellor Street, Newtown, Pa. 18940. Family is being assisted by the caring staff of Swartz Givnish Funeral Home, Newtown. www.swartzgivnish.com?