Ruthanne Neighoff Gary

Ruthanne Neighoff Gary passed away peacefully in her Millersville home on December 22, 2016. The former First Lady of Anne Arundel County (1994-1998), Ruthanne met husband, John G. Gary, Jr., when they were both 10-years-old and living in Green Haven. They married in 1962 and started their family in Pasadena, Maryland and then moved to Millersville in 1969 where they lived until her passing. Born in Baltimore on November 29, 1943, Ruthanne was an active community leader. The first female to integrate Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation in the 1960s, Ruthanne opened County-sponsored dance instruction studios where she taught jazz, tap and ballet in minority communities. Later in life, she was immensely proud of the students she taught at Old Mill Middle School's English as Second Language program. Ruthanne was also an entrepreneur, owning several small businesses and real estate ventures in the County. Ruthanne was one of the founding members of the Severna Park Women's Republican Club and later served as Club President. She was elected four times to serve as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention (1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992). In 1980 she managed Ronald Reagan's Anne Arundel County campaign and then managed Reagan's state-wide campaign in 1984. In 1985 she was named "Woman of the Year" by the Maryland State Republican Party. Ruthanne also worked with three first ladies: Patricia Nixon, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush. Former County Executive Robert R. Neal named Ruthanne as Anne Arundel County's Director of Community Services where she served the residents of the County until her retirement in 1999. Ruthanne's greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. Ruthanne is survived by her husband John G. Gary, Jr. of Millersville; three children: Donna Vereb of Severn, Cynthia Gary and Gregory Gary, both of Millersville; four grandchildren, Hannah, Adam, Amelia and John Gregory; and her brother, Theodore W. Neighoff, Jr. of Vienna, MD. She was preceded in death by her brother Charles S. Neighoff. The family will hold a memorial service followed by lunch on January 14, 2017 at noon at the Calvary Chapel International Worship Center, 8064 New Cut Road, Severn, Maryland. Friends are asked to RSVP at 410.519.7506 or via e-mail at DLVereb@verizon.net. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation or The Michael J. Fox Foundation.