ENSIGN, Ruth S., died November 6, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Rev. John E. Ensign; and four adult children, Dr. Jacque Ensign of Seattle, Wash., Martha Ensign Johnson of Santa Barbara, Calif., Stephen D. Ensign of Mechanicsville, and Dr. Josephine Ensign of Seattle, Wash.; her sister, Nancy Blackwood of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; nine grandchildren, and one stepgranddaughter. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1923, she was a graduate of the Tyler School of Fine Arts, Temple University, Philadelphia, with a B.F.A, and B.S. in Education, both with honors, and an M.F.A. She was included in "Who's Who of American Women" numerous times and the new 2009 edition of "Who's Who in America", with a biographical record as artist, writer and teacher. She was an author, with her husband, of three books on church camping, one with 12 printings. She taught as an adjunct at VCU School of Art, Virginia State University, Randolph Macon, Ashland, and Union-PSCE. She was an artist in residence for Henrico and Hanover Public Schools and for demonstrations at Eckerd College and Northwestern University, among others. Her work was exhibited in galleries and museums in the East from New York to Florida and Alabama, including the Philadelphia Print Club, the Library of Congress Print Exhibition, the Smithson Institution, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Women's International Exhibition and Slide Show of 1975-76, the Gallery of Contemporary Art of Winston-Salem, N.C., and elsewhere. She was the recipient of numerous awards and purchase prizes in both painting and printmaking. She was represented in many private collections, including the Philip Morris Corp., the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the National Institutes of Health, Colonial Williamsburg Motor Lodge, and a number of museums, banks and universities. She was the subject of "Nature's Poet of Vision", a film produced by an independent filmmaker. Ruth Ensign was one of the original members of the Richmond Artist Association and one of its earliest presidents. She was an elder and Sunday School teacher at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church for many years. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Ave, Richmond, Va. 23227, or to Massey Cancer Center, P.O. Box 98034, Richmond, Va. 23235. A memorial service will be held 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 15, at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, with a reception and visitation with the family after the service.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
A piece by Ruth has adorned the walls of my parent´s home since I was a young child. They bought it in 1973 at an art exhibit in Richmond and toted it all the way back in the car to North Dakota. It´s called Weathervane People. It hangs proudly in my mother´s living room to this day, 51 years later. We adore it.
Robb Westawker
March 31, 2024 | Other
Betsy and I first met Ruth in the summer of 1971. We were spending the summer with our three young children with Betsy’s parents who lived in Richmond. I was spending three months as a visiting lecturer at MCV. We had seen an advertisement in the local paper about an exhibition of collographs in one of the art galleries in Richmond (I forget which one). So one Sunday afternoon we drove over from Bumpass, where we were spending the weekend with Betsy’s aunt Ruth. We were really taken with the...
Anthony Milton
January 03, 2009 | Cambridge, England
I was very sorry to learn of Ms. Ensign's passing. A print created by Ms. Ensign hangs in my home ("I wonder as I wander") and it remains one of my favorite pieces in my collection. The print was a gift from my mother upon the passing of my father- the late Dr. Robert P. Crumpler. My father knew Ms. Ensign from his work as a chaplin in Richmond and was fond of her work. I still remember being a very small child in a gallery exhibiting her work when the piece was purchased. To her family,...
Rob Crumpler
December 02, 2008 | Midland, TX
John and Family,
So sorry to hear about Ruth. The time I spent with the Ensigns at Camp Hanover are treasured memories. You are in my thoughts.
Sarah Bird Lockhart Cromer
November 17, 2008 | North Tazewell, VA
Dear John
It has been a long time but I remember you and Ruth well.There will always be fond memories of Camp Hanover and The Ensigns.My thought and prayers go with you
Eddie Browning
November 16, 2008 | Richmond, VA
Martha,
I just saw the article about your mother's death in the paper. I am so sorry. I would have attended the service if I had known. Would love to have seen you. She seemed to have led a very full life. Hope you are doing well under the circumstances.
Sincerely,
Susan Blevins Robertson
Susan Robertson
November 15, 2008 | Richmond, VA
Dear Mr. Ensign
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your wife, Ruth. I spent many a summer (1960-1968) at Camp Hanover. I certainly enjoyed working on the crafts, many of which your wife came up with the ideas for. My prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Fred Ponko, Jr
November 13, 2008 | Richmond, VA
I am so sorry for your loss. My aunt, Doris Sutton, apparently was a friend of Mrs. Ensign. I believe my aunt also taught some of her children. Aunt Dottie died Dec. 2007 and in going through her things, I found a print by Mrs. Ensign and a 12th grade project by Martha Ensign. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Charlene Turner
November 12, 2008 | Virginia Beach, VA
John
Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you during this time.
Timothy Gay
November 11, 2008 | St Louis, MO
