Ruth Guilfoyle

GUILFOYLE, RUTH F. (RODERICKS), 90, of East Greenwich for 50 years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Brigadier General Donald W. (Bud) Guilfoyle, (Ret.) RIANG for 52 years. Born in East Providence, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Frances (Ferreira) Rodericks. Ruth was predeceased by her brothers, George, Robert, and Francis, as well as infant grandson, Adam Guilfoyle. She was the beloved mother of seven children, Gary Guilfoyle and his wife Eileen Walsh-Guilfoyle, Donna Valliere and her husband Francis Valliere, Brian Guilfoyle and his wife Joyce Guilfoyle, Joan Guilfoyle and her husband Brian Dill, Donald Guilfoyle Jr. and his wife Ellen Guilfoyle, Robert Guilfoyle and his wife Joanne Guilfoyle, and Mary Guilfoyle-Carew and her husband Peter Carew with whom she lived. She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren, John, Keith, Tara, and Timothy Walsh; Michelle Trolio and Suzanne McAnally; David and Stephen Guilfoyle; Mathew and Alex Dill; Rebecca and Carolyn Guilfoyle; David, Corinne and Bowman Short; and Samantha, Anna and Grace Carew. In addition, she is survived by her 8 great-grandchildren, Jillian and Marlee Walsh; Oliver Munson; Maura Taylor; Hannah, Theresa and Joshua Trolio; and Alison McAnally. Ruth graduated high school from St. Mary Seminary, (St. Mary Academy-Bay View) in 1939. In 1940, she graduated from Edgewood Secretarial School and then worked as a stenographer for the Army Reserve office in Providence. In addition, she participated in Summer School for Catholic Action and volunteered at St Martin De Porres Center in East Providence during which time she felt the call to religious life. Ruth entered the Dominican Order of St. Mary of The Springs, Columbus, Ohio as a postulant in 1941. Her first vows were professed in 1944, taking the religious name, Sister Magdala, O.P. and professed her perpetual vows in 1947. Ruth, (Sr. Magdala,) taught the primary grades at Dominican schools in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. Summers were spent taking courses in education at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1952, she was diagnosed with narcolepsy which made it nearly impossible for her to continue teaching. By 1956, she had made the heart-wrenching decision to leave the convent and was released from her vows later that year. She returned to East Providence and worked as a bookkeeper at Rebello's Funeral Home. In January, 1959, she was introduced to Donald, who was a widower with three children. They were married August 29, 1959 and had four more children by August, 1964. A parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church for over 51 years, she volunteered at Our Lady of Mercy School, co-chaired the Catholic Charity Fund Appeal, was a member of the OLM Women's group, and made rosary beads to send to missions around the world. Ruth was a member of the Meadowbrook Garden Club and won many ribbons for her flower arrangements. An avid crafter, she excelled at knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, quilting, and ceramics. A true Dominican, Ruth loved the "Truth." One of her greatest teachings was to accept humbly and use the gifts that God has given us, exemplifying her belief that humility is truth. Ruth's funeral will be held Wednesday, February 1st at 10:00am from the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main Street East Greenwich with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fourth Ave., East Greenwich. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, 6th Avenue, East Greenwich. Calling hours are Tuesday, January 31st from 5pm to 8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.