Ruth Riddle Browneller, 98 years of Riverside, PA, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2022.
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RIVERSIDE, PA ~ Ruth Riddle Browneller, 98 years of Riverside, PA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday evening, January 26, 2022, at her residence.
She was born July 4, 1923, in New Florence, Westmoreland County PA, the daughter of the late Reverend Dr. Melvin W. and Rachel Reynolds Riddle.
Ruth graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1941, attended Muskingum College in Ohio and then graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1945.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Ellsworth R. Browneller M.D., who was the former Vice President of Geisinger Medical Center and Secretary of Health of Pennsylvania. They were married June 14, 1947.
In her earlier years, she taught Home Economics in Coatesville PA and Abington PA.
Ruth was an active member of Grove Presbyterian Church for 60 years serving as a Deacon and an Elder. She also served on numerous other committees in the church. She was a founding member and Past President of the Geisinger Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a Charter Member and served many years on the Board of Directors of The Children’s Oncology Services of Danville, and as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Danville. Ruth was honored as the First Lady of the Year in 1985 by the Beta Sigma Phi Sororities. Her hope was that by honoring her, that they were honoring all volunteers, not just herself. Ruth felt she had a wonderful life and used volunteering as a way to give back to others.
Ruth will be remembered for her creativity, sewing and gardening. She brightened
her home with flowers from her gardens. She excelled at making miniatures she used to decorate her doll houses and miniature scenes. Ruth enjoyed entertaining her friends, her husband's colleagues and playing bridge.
She only had one love in her long life. Ruth and Ellsworth (Brownie) met in kindergarten and remained a pair for the next 50 years. They started 'housekeeping' in Philadelphia while Brownie finished his medical degree, then moved to Florida, Michigan and back to Philadelphia and settled in Riverside in 1962. Ruth was a wonderful mother. She sewed many dresses for her daughters, made three meals a day, served as homeroom mother, drove carpools to swim team and ballet but most importantly supported her daughters in all their endeavors.
As a grandmother she loved her grandchildren and always supported their activities. Her home was always open to them whether for an hour or for weeks.
She is survived by four daughters: Lynn Reichen and her husband Walter, and Barbara Tevis of Riverside; Nancy Dennen and her husband Mike of Clarks Summit and Susan Rudy of Lock Haven.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kelly LaMotte and her husband John, Christine Reichen, Cage Tevis of Riverside; Kyle Dennen and his wife Courtney of Wyomissing, Rachel Dennen of Philadelphia and Rebecca Dennen of Clarks Summit; Trent Rudy and Sarah Rudy, both of Lock Haven PA. Also surviving are her great-grandchildren: Jacob and Benjamin LaMotte of Riverside.
She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra at the age of 19 in 1981 and her sister and brother-in-law Lois Riddle Johnson and her husband Herbert.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Ruth’s life to be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Grove Presbyterian Church 358 Bloom Street Danville PA with the Reverend Jason Clapper officiating. Burial will be private.
The family will provide flowers. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Grove Presbyterian Church, the Ronald McDonald House 100 N. Academy Avenue and Trembulak Way Danville PA 17821 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc. 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA.
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