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Ruth Wallis Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 25, 2007.

Of CT, (1920-2007), The "Saucy Chanteuse" from Brooklyn,{M1} December 22nd, with friends and family at her bedside. Ruth studied dancing, voice and piano, so it was only natural that she would pursue a career in show business. After high school, the teenager sang in both the Isham Jones and Benny Goodman (briefly) orchestras. Ruth Wallis composed the words and music to all of her (150+) songs. Typecast as a risque' singer during the Eisenhower era, her diverse catalogue of music was prohibited from airplay and her records were confiscated by Australian customs during the 60's. Nonetheless, her career spanned over two decades and four continents. After retiring from the stage in 1970, Ruth devoted her time to writing words and music destined for the Broadway stage. Shortly after her 83rd birthday, "Boobs! the Musical" (subtitled: The World According to Ruth Wallis) opened at the Triad Theater in New York City. Praised by the New York critics, "Boobs" ran for nearly 300 performances with subsequent runs in (pre-Katrina) New Orleans and Wichita. Ruth re-released "Ruth Wallis' Greatest Hits (1998) and "Love is for the Birds" (2006). Recently, Ruth Wallis was honored by the National Archives of Australia, her memorabilia included in "Memory of a Nation", a permanent exhibition that opened in Canberra in March of 2007. Ms. Wallis is survived by her daughter, Ronnie (Frank) Ramistella, of Monterey, California: her son, Alan Pastman, of South Killingly, CT; and a granddaughter, Melissa (John) Pelochino, of El Dorado Hills, CA. A Graveside Ceremony will be held on Wed., Dec. 26th, 1:30 PM at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Connecticut VNA Hospice, 12 Case St. #356, Norwich CT, 06360.

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Nancy Kempes

December 25, 2007

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

**Ruth was a very sweet, wonderful individual. It was an absolute pleasure to care for her. Not only did I care for her, but she also taught me many things and made me laugh and feel things I didn't know were there. She was so funny. I will never forget all the times I would be eating something and she would ask me what it was and proceed to eat it. I will also never forget the first time she met my youngest daughter. Her eyes lit up every time my daughter entered the room. Whether it was just for a visit or to take care of Ruth herself; Ruth always had big smiles and enjoyment from her company. My life will never be the same, and I thank Ruth for that. Her music is absolutely wonderful and expresses Ruth's fun, playful side as well as her loving, endearing side. She was definately a one-of-a-kind woman and nobody will ever compare to her. She will never be forgotten and will always live deep in both myself and my daughter's hearts.