Ruth Willkens Emerson

EMERSON
RUTH WILLKENS
Passed away peacefully on July 27, 2006 in Watsonville, California, with her husband Eugene at her side. Ruth was born to the Reverend Fred H. Willkens and his wife Emma on January 15, 1921 in New Britain, CT. Her father's ministry brought many moves during her childhood, and Ruth, the middle child, adapted well to new people and places. Many of those years were spent in Rochester, NY. with a loving extended family, and this is the place she called 'home.' Ruth was proud of graduating in 1943 with the first Baccalaureate class of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, of her membership in Beta Sigma Omicron, and of working as a Public Health Nurse there. At "Pitt" she met and married Eugene Emerson, a newly graduated doctor, on August 6, 1943. Ruth soon chose to stay home and raise their children, but she always considered herself to be a nurse. Ruth is survived by Eugene, her loving husband for almost 63 years, and their four children: William Emerson of Oakland, California; Kenneth Emerson of Washoe Valley, Nevada; Thomas Emerson of Portland, Oregon; and Sandra Emerson, of Sparks, Nevada. Her sister Jane Liberty resides near Tulsa, Oklahoma; a cousin Chris Barrett lives near Rochester. Four grandchildren, Anya, Charlotte, Bret, and Dana, are carrying on the wit and family pride their grandmother engendered. Other survivors include Willkens families across the country who remained very close to Ruth's heart despite the miles and years that passed. Ruth's legacy will be her tireless enjoyment of life and the people who were fortunate enough to become her friends. Her head and heart were constantly full of good memories, from all ages of her life, mainly because she stubbornly refused to hang on to any of the bumps and hurdles of her years. Ruth was a fine friend, a loyal and loving wife, and a wonderful, wonderful mother. She will be sorely missed, but the memories which arise will be warm and full of smiles because she was a "Game Gal" who grabbed every opportunity to have a good time and then to share it. July 27 will be the date of the Ruth Emerson Memorial Scrabble Tournament for years to come, and imaginative use of tiles will be encouraged! The family will have a private memorial service in Reno, NV on August 26th. Donations in memory of Ruth can be made to: The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, c/o Mary Rodgers Schubert, 3500 Victoria St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261.
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