Ruth Hulburt Hamilton died in Evanston on June 26, 2018. Ruth was born in Kirksville Missouri in 1921 but she spent most of her life as a devoted Oak Parker. When she graduated from Oak Park& River Forest High she decided to study acting. In her year at the Goodman School of Drama she was cast as a thorn bush in Sleeping Beauty. The director criticized her in rehearsal, saying she was not brambling properly. She then attended Pomona College and later graduated with a degree in English Literature from Rosary College in River Forest. In 1943 she married Allen Beye Hamilton. During her long and happy marriage she wrote poems, several of which were published in the Ladies Home Journal. Her poem, Song for A Fifth Child, has been cherished through the decades by generations of mothers. In addition to raising five children Ruth had many vocations, acting in community theater productions, working at Oak Park High, and writing profiles of actors that appeared in the Chicago Daily News and many others newspapers. Her pieces had her signature sparkle, wit, and generosity. She wrote such a charming letter to Lynn Fontanne that the actress, who, with her husband Alfred Lunt, had long since stopped giving interviews, granted her an audience. Ruth spent the last ten years of her life at the Presbyterian Home in Evanston. Among Ruth's many gifts was her great capacity for happiness, a gift that touched everyone she met. She will be remembered particularly for her profound joy by her friends, relations, her children Duncan, Bruce, Jeremy, and Jane, her son-in-law Bob Willard, her grandchildren Allen and Duncan Riddell, and Ben and Hannah Willard. Her daughter Sarah and her husband predeceased her. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Employee Fund, The Geneva Foundation of Presbyterian Homes, or The Songs by Heart Foundation. A memorial service will be held at the Elliott Chapel on June 29 at 1:30 PM.

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

Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 27, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Hamilton

13 Entries

Jeri Mae Rowley

July 31, 2025

Just got off the phone with a young mother. Our call started late because she needed to soothe her 6-week old, newly-adopted baby. As our call ended, I told her I was sending Ruth Hulbert Hamilton's poem, "Babies Don't Keep." The last stanza was my mantra as a young mother.

Looking up the poem let me to this obituary. What a lovely human being she was.

~peace~

Joyce

December 18, 2024

Isn't it lovely that we can now look up the names of people who have left a gentle, lasting touch forever on our souls .. especially when they don't know they have? In 1984 I gave birth to my beautiful son. I have no memory of how I came upon "Babies don't keep" but it's been with me through the ages and I give the very same advice to each new parent I come upon.
Ruth Hamilton was accomplished, loved & treasured ... by many more than she ever knew. But maybe now she knows. She must have many feathers on her wings... Thank you Ruth... and thank you to the family who allows us to share our appreciation here.

Michele

July 23, 2023

I was a young mom who grew up in a very tidy home. After the birth of our second child I returned to work and grew weary in my striving to do it all. A coworker shared with me the poem, "Song to a Fifth Child (Babies Don't Keep) It helped me to take the time to slow down and enjoy my babies. Thank you Ruth!

Melissa Adams

August 27, 2021

I remember long ago my mother teaching me the poem that Ruth so eloquently penned, and I looked up the poem today to share with a co-worker who just had a baby. My condolences to the family.

Thank you for the encouragement to saver every moment.

Rachel Koza

January 13, 2020

I did not know Ruth or the Hamilton family personally. I discovered her poem, Song for a Fifth Child, after becoming a Mom in 2018. Tears come to my eyes every time I read it, and I am so eternally grateful for this celebration of motherhood. On behalf of Mamas everywhere, thank you for this breathtaking reminder to cherish every moment I have with my babe. I am blissfully rocking her to sleep as I type this.

Rebecca Bryant

July 31, 2018

Aunt Ruth truly lived with joy! I will always remember her kindness and visiting the family in Oak Park as a child. I know that she and Peanut are enjoying a reunion together in heaven.

Laurie Dettmers

July 14, 2018

Ruth Hamilton was my neighbor in Oak Park, IL. She kept one of our house keys and my kids were over their often needing it. Ruth loved seeing the children on the block. She lived with her daughter, Sarah, until they moved. We miss Sarah. She walked our dog daily for years. Lovely, lovely people. I

Vickie Fletcher

July 11, 2018

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Emily Becker

July 1, 2018

"Doodle Bug" was always a bright light during our sessions.
We consider ourselves lucky to have known her and we will all miss her greatly.
- Songs by Heart

Celeste Smucker

June 30, 2018

I remember "Aunt" Ruth well. Such a joyful presence. Condolences and love to cousins Duncan, Bruce, Jeremy and Jane.

Nancy Greco

June 28, 2018

I had no idea your Mom attended Rosary, my alma mater. I remember seeing her on stage at the Goodman as a lady in waiting in "Saint Joan," with Lynn Redgrave. I will always remember her in her pink robe in the locker room at the Oak Park YMCA. She was a remarkable woman and very proud of you, Jane.

Nancy Greco

Diane Callahan Mastny

June 27, 2018

Condolences to your family (though I do not personally know any of you). The Chicago Tribune death notice inspired me to look up "Song for a Fifth Child." I found that I was aware of the final stanza, and indeed had shared it with my own daughter-in-law. I did not know the poet's name, nor that it was part of a longer work of poetry. Ruth's sentiments serve as a mantra for mothers everywhere. Rest in Peace, poetess Ruth Hulburt Hamilton.

Diane Callahan Mastny

June 27, 2018

Condolences on your family's loss (though I do not personally know any of you). Ruth Hulburt Hamilton's death notice in the Chicago Tribune inspired me to look up "Song for a Fifth Child." I found that I was familiar with the last stanza, and indeed had shared it with my own daughter-in-law. I was unaware of who the author was, or that it came from a longer work of poetry. The sentiments expressed therein are a mantra for mothers everywhere. Rest in Peace, poetess Ruth.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results