Belle Dorman Rugh

I had the good fortune of living in Beirut from 1952-1957. I was friends with Belle's niece Eleanor, and got turned onto Belle's book, Crystal Mountain, a favorite of mine. When mine got stolen with a big pine box of treasures, I managed to find a replacement, which I still have. My family spent part of a couple of summers very close to their family's place up in the mountains, and I climbed "Crystal Mountain" often, finding (and eating) pine nuts, and interesting rocks and fossils. In 2005...

I miss Belle so much. I always think of things she used to say to me, like when I was worried she told me: leave the life of your loved once in the hands of god. She had such a good sense of humor! I once asked her how do you get to an old age? She told me just keep breathing
Or make everyday a happy day...
Belle lives in my heart ❤

Dear June and Molly,
Don just informed me that he heard from our sister-in-law in Indiana, that dear Belle had passed several months ago. She was such a special friend of Don's mother, Kay Mallett, and I loved the time she was in our lives too. She was so unassuming but she was so bright and curious about all manner of things; she was such a scholar and an author but she was so humble that many didn't know of her esteemed academic background. I loved her sense of humor, her...

Dear June and Molly,

My father liked Dag Hammarskjold’s writing, and Belle exemplified the attitude to life outlined in a very challenging passage from Markings:
“For all that has been, thanks. To all that is to come, yes.”

Five things I remember about Belle:

Her enormous kindness in tutoring me in history and French, when I was out of school in 1969-70. Spending time with her was always pleasant, entertaining, informative. She fed me triangles of pita...

Dear Molly and June,

As you already know, if I were to tell your mother what she will always mean to me, I would say, however inadequately,

"Your youthful radiance, generosity of spirit, Lebanese hospitality, and inimitable blend of whimsy and wisdom have touched many lives. My own life would not have been the same had I not met you, at long last, at age sixteen, and had I not discovered Crystal Mountain eight years earlier at the USIS library on Rue Sadat--just beyond...

Dear Belle, It has been a very long time since I have seen you unfortunatly. I pray Jesus is taking the very best care of you now. You will be so missed by all. Judith Dorman ( Miami Fl)