Obituaries

Local Obituaries for Jacob F. Ruth Funeral Directors in Philadelphia, PA

Jean M. Spengler

Jean M. Spengler

Jan 27, 2019

SPENGLER JEAN M., age 93, on January 27, 2019 formerly of Wyndmoor. Wife of the late Gustave Spengler, Jr. Mother of Gus, III (Carol), Barbara, Linda Sokel, Nancy Pico (Pasquale) and the late Edna McLaughlin. Also survived by 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Grace Lutheran Church, 801 E. Willow Grove Ave., Wyndmoor, PA...

Robert Franklin Harsch

Robert Franklin Harsch

Jan 27, 2019

Robert Franklin Harsch, 92, of West Chester, passed away on Sunday, January 27, 2019, in his residence at the Hearth at Drexel in Bala Cynwyd. Robert was beloved husband to Patricia Ann Harsch, née Thomas, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. Robert was born in Ambler, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 1926, son of John W. and Julia A....

Josephine "Josie" Cunningham

Josephine "Josie" Cunningham

Jan 27, 2019

CUNNINGHAM JOSEPHINE A. “Josie” (nee O’Hara), age 73, on January 27, 2019 of Chestnut Hill. Survived by her husband Thomas P.; children Alexander, Heather McCaffrey (Brian), Shannon Hagarty (Louis); 4 grandchildren Joshua, Casey, Erin, and Maura; her brother Edward O’Hara and sister Ethel Bauersmith (Bob). Relatives and friends may call at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 E. Chestnut Hill...

Gerard B. Palmer

Gerard B. Palmer

Jan 26, 2019

PALMER Gerard B. Palmer of Chestnut Hill, PA died peacefully at Spring House Estates on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He was 91. Born in New York in 1927, he was a graduate of Groton School and Amherst College. He served 4 years in the U.S. Navy. As a young ensign, he was a boat officer in a hydrographic survey off...

Christine A. Shaw

Christine A. Shaw

Jan 20, 2019

SHAW CHRISTINE A., age 77, on January 20, 2019 of Mt. Airy. Wife of the late Ronald M. Shaw. Mother of Kevin (Leann), David, and the late Linda Fondrk. Also survived by 5 grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Jacob F. Ruth’s, 8413 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19118, Friday, January 25th at 10AM. Memorial Gathering at 11AM. Interment Calvary...

Helene A. Lafferty

Helene A. Lafferty

Jan 17, 2019

Helene A. Lafferty, 92 of Chestnut Hill, PA. passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 17th, 2019. Helene Sobieski was born in Bethlehem, PA. in 1927 to the late Elizabeth Sobieski and Anthony Sobieski. She attended Liberty High School and upon graduation she obtained a scholarship to Chestnut Hill Hospital School of Nursing. It was in nursing school where she met...

Gloria V. Hubicki

Gloria V. Hubicki

Jan 15, 2019

HUBICKI GLORIA V. (nee Longo), age 90, on Jan. 15, 2019 formerly of Philadelphia. Survived by her daughter Jo Ann Morris (the late Richard), and son Joseph T. Hubicki. Relatives and friends may call at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Rd., North Wales, PA 19454, Saturday, January 19th at 10AM. Funeral Mass 11AM. Interment Holy Sepulchre...

Dr. Sandra Fritsch

Dr. Sandra Fritsch

Jan 13, 2019

Dr. Sandra Dombroski Fritsch succumbed to the effects of a twenty-three year struggle with Parkinson's Disease on January 13, 2019 at her home in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA. She was born on November 11, 1946 in Nanticoke, PA. Her parents were Dr. Stanley Dombroski and Mrs. Jeannette Dombroski (nee Radecki). Dr. Fritsch graduated from St Ann's Academy in Wilkes Barre,...

Barbara Torode

Barbara Torode

Jan 3, 2019

Barbara Torode, an artist and graphic designer, died in her sleep January 3, 2019. She was 80. Her work was from as large as a logo for the World Bank to menus for a small Chinese Gourmet restaurant. She was born in the Queens neighborhood of New York City. Her father was a merchant seaman from the island of Guernsy...

Steven J. Westcott

Steven J. Westcott

Jan 2, 2019

WESTCOTT STEVEN J. WESTCOTT, age 84, on Jan. 2, 2019 of Wyndmoor. Husband of the late Catherine E. (nee Conway). Survived by his children, Steven Jr. (William Ludlow), Richard (Sheri Bollinger), Catherine McLaughlin (Les), Marie McCarthy; also survived by 6 grandchildren, Sean, Casey, Elizabeth, Phillip, Keira, Cailyn, and countless nieces, nephews and cousins. A lifelong resident of Wyndmoor, he personified...

Charles Z. Lawrence

Charles Z. Lawrence

Jan 1, 2019

Noted American stained glass artist, and longtime Mt. Airy resident, Charles Z. Lawrence died on January 1st, 2019, he was 83. Lawrence, who began his career in 1956 as an apprentice to master craftsman Rudolph Henrick Beunz, was known for a bold, gothic revival style best typified by five windows in the Washington National Cathedral. In the 1960s while attending...

Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Echols

Rev. Dr. James Kenneth Echols

Dec 22, 2018

Obituary for The Reverend Dr. James Kenneth Echols - 5/26/1951– 12/22/2018 The Rev. Dr. James K. Echols, the first African American scholar to serve both as the Dean and President of an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seminary, and a retired ELCA Pastor, died Saturday at his home in Philadelphia. Quiet and reserved manner, Echols was a Philadelphia native...

David John Holden

David John Holden

Dec 17, 2018

DAVID JOHN HOLDEN, Age 58 on December 17, 2018, of Wyndmoor.  He leaves behind his daughter Samantha Gitman (Michael).  He is also survived by his mother, Patricia Holden (nee Handlon), as well as his brothers Robert (Kathy), William (Karen), and sisters Patricia (Rick), and Eileen (Frank), as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Robert...

James O. Myers

James O. Myers

Dec 13, 2018

James O. Myers, age 94, on December 13, 2018 of Philadelphia. Funeral and interment private.

Helen M. Harkins

Helen M. Harkins

Dec 9, 2018

HELEN M. HARKINS (McNulty) “Grannie”, lived happily to 91 years of age. Born in Wyndmoor, PA to Patrick H. and Margaret (McGuigan). Helen resided her entire life in Wyndmoor, spending her summers on Molasses Pond in Eastbrook, Maine. Helen was married to Walter Harkins for more than 60 years, together raising their four children Marie, Nancy, Rosie and Walt. She...

Henry Shuford Cecil

Henry Shuford Cecil

Dec 7, 2018

Henry Shuford Cecil, MD of The Hill at Whitemarsh in Lafayette Hill. Memorial Service Wednesday, December 19th, 11AM at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118. Contributions may be made to the Cecil Family Scholarship Fund at Wofford College, 429 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29303, or the Christ Church Preservation Trust, 20 N. American...

Sadie Durkin

Sadie Durkin

Dec 1, 2018

DURKIN SADIE (nee DeNardo), age 91, on December 1, 2018 formerly of Mt. Airy. Wife of the late Richard Durkin and twin sister of the late Carmella “Camille” Amodie. Relatives and friends may call at Holy Cross Church, 140 E. Mt. Airy Ave., Phila., PA 19119, Wednesday, Dec. 5th at 10AM.  Funeral Mass 11AM. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu...

Mary A. Sutton

Mary A. Sutton

Nov 30, 2018

SUTTON MARY A. SUTTON (nee Mercaldo), age 90, on November 30, 2018 of Mt. Airy. Loving wife of the late Ernest A. Sutton. Mother of Robert (Linda), Nancy, Joyce (Mark), and Joan (Jerry). Also survived by 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Holy Cross Church, 140 E. Mt. Airy Ave.,...

Joan M. Marcolina

Joan M. Marcolina

Nov 14, 2018

MARCOLINA JOAN M. (nee Karl), age 83, on November 14, 2018 of Wyndmoor. Wife of the late Richard A. Marcolina. Survived by her daughters Joanne Cuvelier (Fabrice) and Christine, 2 grandsons Guillaume and Gabriel. Relatives and friends may call at Grace Lutheran Church, 801 E. Willow Grove Ave., Wyndmoor, PA 19038, Monday, November 19th at 10AM. Funeral Service 11AM. Interment...

Judith Brewer Campbell

Judith Brewer Campbell

Nov 9, 2018

Judith Anne (Brewer) Campbell, 85, passed away on November 9th, 2018 in Lafayette Hill, PA. Judy, the oldest of three children, was born to Walter Cranston (“Cran”) and Mary Elise Reily (“Bunny”) Brewer on September 8, 1933. She lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia for most of her life and was married to Gordon Custis (“Gus”) Campbell (d. 2009) for...