Ruth S. Bonder

RUTH SYBIL BONDER  Retiree, Voice of America  
Died March 2, 2011 in Atlanta, GA, where she had moved in 2008 to be closer to her nephews and their families. A longtime resident of Arlington, VA, Ruth was a member of St. Agnes Parish and the National Active & Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). She worked for the Voice of America in Washington, D.C. from the late 1940s until her retirement in the late 1970s. Prior to her career at Voice of America, Ruth was among the first civilian government employees to travel to Japan, and then Nuremberg, Germany, following WWII. While in Tokyo, Ruth performed in Gilbert & Sullivan's "Mikado" which opened for the first time in Japan on August 10, 1946. Following her overseas assignments, Ruth returned stateside to work for the Voice of America, where she often took holiday shifts so that her colleagues with children could be home with their families. Following her retirement, Ruth resumed her travels to many favorite destinations, including Italy, France, and Portugal. She also enjoyed many happy visits with family, friends and former colleagues. Ruth Sybil Bonder was born March 28, 1923 in Philadelphia, PA. She is survived by a brother, Lee Bonder of Bluffton, SC, several loving nephews, nieces, and their children, and will be missed by them all. A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 21 at 1 p.m. at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's memory may be sent to the Washington Home, 3720 Upton St. NW., Washington, DC 20016.