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Ruth Janice Rainer

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University of Delaware University of Hartford University of Pennsylvania

Ruth Rainer Obituary

Name: Visitation for Ruth Janice Rainer
Start: 2023-01-03T14:30:00.000Z
Location: St. Mary of Providence Center

Rainer Ruth Janice Age 97, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 14, 2022 after a short illness. Beloved by family and friends around the world, Ruth left a lasting impact and will be deeply missed. In 1946 she earned her nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she met her first husband, Frank Rainer. They married in 1947 and had 6 children. After their divorce in 1972, Ruth obtained degrees from the University of Delaware and the University of Hartford before beginning her career as a clinical psychologist. Ruth had many passions, including travel, gardening, religion, swimming, taking classes, reading and writing, among others, all of which she actively pursued throughout her life. Ruth was preceded in death by her husbands Frank Rainer and Dietmar Schmidke, and her oldest son Brad. She is survived by her sister, Midge Dittbrenner, her remaining 5 children, Dick, Diane, Janice, Nancy and Doug, their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. There will be a Visitation with the family on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in the chapel at St. Mary of Providence Center, 227 Isabella Rd., Elverson, PA 19520 beginning at 9:30 A.M., followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 A.M. After the Service, family and friends will gather for a reception.

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Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Dec. 29, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Rainer

9 Entries

Bodo Schmidtke

July 13, 2024

I just happened to be thinking of Ruth and came across the news of her passing. I will always remember Ruth as a kind and gentle soul. I've known Ruth since I was a child and I only wish we had stayed in touch over the years. I too loved Venice, Italy and have been there many times. I lived and worked in Italy for 2 years and was only an hour away from Venice. I don't even know if Ruth knew that. In any case, the last time I saw Ruth, was in 1994. It was a somber occasion as it was the passing of her Husband and my brother, Dietmar Schmidtke. Ruth will always be my Sister in law and a very gentle soul. God Bless you and may you Rest in peace "Sis". Love, Bodo "Bo" Schmidtke

Linda (Kraft) Walk

January 3, 2023

Ruth's friendship was a treasure. We met at the Univ of Delaware where our close knit group of friends stayed together through college and beyond. A Christmas ornament that she gave me back then still hangs on my tree. We roomed together during a college January term abroad and explored Geneva Switzerland, Zermatt, Munich, Salzburg, and Paris together. I often met up with her while I visited relatives in PA and I last saw her for lunch on July 20, 2022 near her West Chester apartment. I know her family will miss her, and I will, too.

Rosanna & Thomas Trainor

Planted Trees

Deborah Grant Diehl

January 2, 2023

Diane, Janice, Dick, Nancy and Douglas,
I know it has been a long time but you are all in my thoughts today. I had the pleasure of running into Ruth about a dozen times in the last 10 years and it amazes me how vibrant and alive she was! It´s funny, Mary and I were remembering her today and agreed, she really set the bar for living life to it´s fullest. No small feat! What a beautiful legacy! Sending our love and wonderful Aunt Ruth memories,
Big Hugs,
Deb and Mary Grant

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Jonathan Coleman

December 29, 2022

I had the great good fortune of meeting Ruth over Zoom on more than one occasion. She was a student in the class Jerry Lakoff offered through Immaculata, a class that provoked you to think about this complicated country of ours in all different ways. Ruth would sit and listen intently to what everyone else was saying and then, when she was ready, and only when she was ready, she would offer the deepest and best insights among all of us. I thought of her as the class "cleanup hitter," the only one who merited a long, no-cut contract. I let her know how I felt about her contributions--in more than one email. Had we had been closer in age, I am sure I would have courted her. Speaking of which, I will require three different pieces of proof--of hard evidence--to convince me she was 97. What a beacon of light, what a radiant figure. May her memory be a blessing to all those who loved and cared about her, of whom there must be far too many to count. So long, Ruth. I will miss you so. And please forgive me for not coming down to Philadelphia to have lunch with you and Jerry. The fault is entirely mine, and the loss of that opportunity.

Jerry Lakoff

December 29, 2022

Ruth Rainer set the bar for judicious commentary. Attending several of my classes, she always held the long view of things and encouraged critical thinking. She also lent a psychological aspect to matters both political and ethical.
There is a vast mutual admiration society, here and in Venice, who are shedding tears for their lovely "mentor."
Thank you, dear Ruth.

Kerstin Norton

December 27, 2022

I loved Ruth´s zest for life and how she lived it to the fullest every day. Although I hadn´t seen her in some time, that´s how I will remember her. What an amazing woman! With love and deepest sympathies to the entire family.

Warmest Regards,
Kerstin Norton

Jim "Sport" Foster

December 24, 2022

Ruth is a treasured memory. She was part of our close-knit group of friends at the U of D and, despite an age difference, fit in perfectly with all of us. She was a beautiful spirit.

David Townsend

December 23, 2022

I have wonderful memories of Ruth, who I first met at the University of Delaware and continued as a dear friend, along with my late wife, Lynn, for many years. She was inspiring and a truly special lady.

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