Ruth B. Spece

1935 - 2021

Ruth B. Spece, 85, of Pottsville, passed away Wednesday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street, Pottsville, with her loving family by her side.

Born in Pottsville, on Dec. 17, 1935, she was a daughter of the late B'shara and Wadia Thomas, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon.

She was a 1953 graduate of Pottsville Catholic High School and a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.

Ruth started working at St. Patrick's R.C.C. as a receptionist and through the years took on many roles and responsibilities. She was very dedicated and active in her church to include working as a CCD teacher, coordinating picnics, organizing bus trips and fundraising for the parish for over 20 years, retiring in 2013.

Ruth considered her greatest accomplishment in life to be raising her 13 children. She was a dedicated mother, sister, aunt and friend to many. Her wisdom, unconditional love and compassion will be sadly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her dedication to family, she enjoyed casino trips, going to New York City Broadway shows and cooking Sunday dinners. Her house was always open and everyone was welcome.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard S. Spece Sr., to whom she was married over 50 years; infant child, Bernard; sisters, Madelon, Cecilia, Louise and Sister Mary Aloysious SSM; brothers, Anthony, John and Joseph.

Ruth is survived by daughters, Diane Spece-Adams, of Deer Lake, Marsha Spece, of Pottsville, Bernadette Mason, wife of Jeffrey, of Pottsville, Leslie Spece, of Pottsville, Jessica Conway, wife of Kieran, of Orwigsburg, and Cecilia Duffy, of Washington, D.C.; sons, James, Andrew and Matthew, all of Pottsville, Michael, husband of Correen, of Pottsville, Philip, of Schuylkill Haven, Bernard Jr., husband of Paula, of Hegins, and Christopher, of Orwigsburg; 18 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; sister, Anne Callahan, widow of Jack, of Pottsville; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and -nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, June 14, at St. Patrick R.C.C., 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. A viewing will be held Monday morning at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, from 9 a.m. until the procession will leave for church. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com.