Ruth Hargreaves

Quick to laugh, dance, and bring sunshine to the days of those around her, Ruth May Hargreaves passed on July 17, 2023, a day as sunny as she was. Ruth was born on November 16, 1930 in Newark, NJ, to Mary and William Jones. She outlived her husband of 68 years, John J. Hargreaves, and her beloved siblings, William Jones; Dorothy Hanlon; Robert Jones; and Gertrude Byrnes; and is survived by her beloved siblings, Chris (Sonny) Jones and Emma Tyson.

Always an early bird, Ruth would go through the house singing “You Are My Sunshine” and dancing, waking everyone so they could enjoy the day. If Ruth was not singing, she was listening to music and dancing. Ruth was a wonderful artist, like her father, and would sketch and draw. When game night involved games guessing drawings, you always wanted to be on Ruth’s team.

Ruth was an avid traveler and she and her husband, John, documented their world travels thoroughly with small mementos. Her trips to the sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina to see the relics of Padre Pio and her trip to see the relics of Our Lady of Fatima were among the most meaningful to her. She would send postcards, letters, newspaper clippings, and prayer cards to her family and friends, always making sure they knew they were seen and loved.

Throughout her life, Ruth was an active community member. She volunteered with many organizations, but the one volunteer role that her family remains in awe of to this day is her work with hospice. Ruth always sought to bring comfort and light to those around her, especially those needing it most.

Hilton Head Island was one of Ruth’s happy places. She spent time there each year surrounded by her family, making jokes, playing pranks on her children and grandchildren, building sand castles, and eating copious amounts of fudge, salt water taffy, and danishes.

If you’re crying right now, remember Ruth would grin and say, “oh, knock it off!” and remind you to go laugh.

Ruth worked at the U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal for many years, where she worked in support of the U.S. Army. Her work at the Arsenal was dear to her, as many of her loved ones were in the service.

Above all else, Ruth was dedicated to family. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her children and their spouses, John W. and Claire Hargreaves; Jeanmarie and Donald Jones; James P. and Deborah Hargreaves; and Sandra and John Ledner; and her grandchildren, Amy L. Rose; Jamie M. Jones and her partner Larisa Maxwell; Melanie J. Harris and her husband, Lional Harris; Katherine E. Hargreaves and her husband, John Woodruff; Donald M. Jones and his partner, Ashley Randolph and their son–her great grandson– Donald John Vincent Jones (DJ); James D. Hargreaves and his wife, Mandy Hargreaves; Ashley N. Hargreaves and her partner, Dan Lutz; Alexis A. Zrillo and her husband, Anthony Zrillo; Joshua L. Ledner and his partner, Jessica Craciun; and Matthew J. Ledner and his partner, Natalie Martino; and her many loved nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday July 24, 2023, at 11:00am from St. Luke’s Catholic Church 818 Main St. Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360 with Fr. Michael Quinnan as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Northern New Jersey Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Sparta, N.J. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until the time of the mass at the church.

  The Joseph J. Pula Funeral Home Inc. 23 N. 9th. St. Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360 is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Louisville, Kentucky.

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