Ruth Mackel Church

Ruth Mackel Church of Warwick passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, at the age of 83.

Beloved wife of Henry A. L. Church Sr., she married her officer and gentleman aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in San Diego in 1949.

Hal and Ruth spent the early years of their marriage stationed in San Diego, California, Bremerton, Washington, and Newport, Rhode Island.

Later on, they raised their five children in Hillsdale, N.J., Glenview, Ill., and Glen Rock, N.J.

Ruth was born at home in Teaneck, N.J., graduated Teaneck High School in 1947 and worked in New York City prior to her marriage.

She is survived by her children: Priscilla Church Lynn and her husband David of Auckland, New Zealand; Nancy Church Kidd, her husband Frank and grandson Stephen of Franklin Lakes, N.J.; Henry A.L. Church Jr., his wife Amy and step-grandchildren Rebecca and Adam of Basking Ridge, N.J.; Cynthia Church Theodore, her husband Nicholas and granddaughter Lindsay of Sugar Loaf; and Susan Church Stevens and her husband Alan of North Potomac, Md.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 25 years, Hal; sisters Marion Mackel and Jean Mackel Schoonmaker; and grandson Nicholas Henry Theodore.

Ruth was a member of the Warwick Reformed Church, Friends of the Warwick Library and the Warwick Social Club. She enjoyed reading, gardening, spending time with her children, grandchildren, dear friends and pets.

She will be dearly missed by all.

The church family will have a gathering of family and friends in Warwick at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Warwick Valley Humane Society, PO Box 61, Warwick, NY 10990 or The Warwick Center, PO Box 349, Warwick, NY 10990.