Ruth L. Zollinhofer

The end is but the beginning. Ruth L. Zollinhofer completed her life’s earthly journey early on Sunday morning, February 11, 2024 at her home in Pequea, PA. After 98 years of preparation, she has now taken up residence in a new mansion with a heavenly address. Born on January 28, 1926 in New Brunswick, NJ to Harold and Helen Lowe, Ruth spent most of her growing up years in Metuchen, NJ before marrying WWII navy veteran Joseph Donald (“Don”) Zollinhofer on November 9, 1946. As the wife of a navy man, her horizons quickly expanded with Florida, Maryland, Mississippi and new places in New Jersey taking their turns in being called home. Don had regularly corresponded with Ruth and her family after he witnessed her boyfriend being shot down and killed during the war in the South Pacific. The correspondence grew into a friendship, then into love, then into marriage and eventually into the birth of six children: Mark (Lois) Zollinhofer, JoAnne (Thomas) Kinter, Gail (Stephen) Quigg, Helen (Gregory) McMullin, Christine (Thomas) Gibson, and Daniel (Susan) Zollinhofer. At her death, Ruth was a grandmother to 13 and a great-grandmother to 18. She was preceded in death by her husband Don (2010) and her sister Mona Smith (2014), and is survived by a step-brother Michael Lowe. Ruth was a woman of great faith who lived out that faith in gracious and sacrificial service to her Lord, her family and the people around her. If the church doors were open, the family was there. She knew no stranger and could recount the life history of a seatmate on a flight by the time the plane touched down. Warm welcomes, hearty cuisine, and gentle words of wisdom were her calling cards, all wrapped up in layers of unpretentious hospitality. Visits to see Mom, Granny, Great-Granny, or Mrs. Z. were highlights on everyone’s calendar. A passionate lover of games, Ruth took great delight in crafting the crushing defeat of her competitors in “friendly” games of cribbage, acey-deucy, pinochle, or Sevens. She took no prisoners and tolerated no malfeasance, well-known to slam a gameboard shut if any of the grands were caught complaining or cheating. However, it also became a rite of passage for them to finally beat her fair and square at one of her favorite games. Ruth was still winning hands of pinochle 3 days prior to her passing. More important to her than games, however, was teaching her kids a love for books and reading. Ruth and Don sacrificed to buy a set of World Book Encyclopedias which were used almost daily to help the kids find answers to their many questions. On their monthly excursions to the dentist, the family always stopped by the library where Ruth got special permission to check out the maximum number of books so everyone would have enough reading material to last them a month. A prolific letter writer, Ruth used her love of the written word to connect with and encourage family, friends, and church members on a regular basis, passing on a heritage of love and caring. To honor the life of this remarkable woman, the family invites you to join them in a Celebration of Her Life on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00am at Talbot Bible Church, 9114 Chapel Rd., Easton, MD. Because Ruth donated her body to medical research, there will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the church or missionary of your choice in her memory.

Tributes

Ruth L. Zollinhofer

January 28, 1926 - February 11, 2024