Ruth died of natural causes in her home in Wilmington, Delaware at the age of 88 on Thursday morning, November 2, 2023.
Ruth was born in Wilmington, Delaware to George and Estelle Warrington on September 19, 1935. Her childhood was filled with books, movies, music, horseback riding, and values rooted in family and home. She graduated Wilmington High School in 1953, the University of Delaware with a BS in Education in 1957, and returned later to earn a Master’s Degree in Education in 1972.
Her life as an educator in public and private education spanned three states: Delaware, Illinois and California. Her forte was advocating for gifted education and addressing the needs of children who fell out of the norm. She restarted her career several times, as her husband’s career transferred the family across the country and back again, but she never lost her passion for teaching and learning.
Ruth’s love of traveling with her husband Bill included Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean, often returning to roost in Maui, HI. Supporting the artisans, wading in the warm waters of Baby Beach, enjoying the sunsets from the lanai, and dining at Mama’s Fish House were among her favorites.
Ruth was a reliable and loving friend who enjoyed playing tennis, bridge and quilting. Her artistry extended into homemaking, decorating and entertaining. She enjoyed preparing delicious meals, serving up intellectual banter and luxuriating in a great sense of humor. She listened with the intuition of her heart and had the uncanny precision of giving people what they wanted when they needed it most. She was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, DE who tithed her time and talents for the benefit of others.
Her role as grandmother was delivered effortlessly and wrapped in boundless love. She created Easter Egg scavenger hunts, handmade quilts for the grandsons and sewing instruction for her granddaughters. She sent “love gifts and love notes,” beautifully color-coordinated packages, that arrived by mail for the simplest of occasions.
Ruth/Mom/Granny is survived by her husband of 66 years, William Jacob Baur, Jr., her four children: Bruce, Alison, Robb and Amy, her 11 grandchildren: Jeff, Jacob, Katie, Kelsey, Avery, Erin, Kristin, Joey, Noah, Alex and Tori, and four great-grandchildren: Henry, CJ, Macey and Aubrey and her only sibling, Bob.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 2033 Graves Rd. Hockessin, DE on Friday, January 5th, 2024, at 1:00pm. A time for fellowship and refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Atten: Caregivers and/or Quilters.
May you find the mane of Rebel and ride him wild and free.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
