Ruth Holbrook

Ruth Ritter Holbrook of West Reading passed away January 31, 2016. She was born on March 26, 1918 in Boyertown, PA the daughter of the late Arthur Ritter and Mabel Ritter.

Ruth grew up in Reading, PA and graduated from Reading High School in 1936. She attended the Jefferson School of Nursing in Philadelphia and graduated as a registered nurse in 1939. She returned to Reading and practiced her profession at both the Reading and St Joseph's Hospitals. Later she worked as an industrial nurse in Reading at Armour & Co and retired from Carpenter Technology in 1983.

Ruth was married to Kimsey E. Holbrook of Atlanta, Georgia, who had come to Reading after his service in the Army during World War II. They had two sons John K. Holbrook who lives in Reading, PA and Douglas L. Holbrook who lives in New York City, New York.

Ruth was divorced and later was reunited with William Timko of Reading who she knew before she was married and who had become a much loved member of the family. Ruth was a devoted mother and single parent who raised two sons while helping others through her nursing profession. She traveled the U. S., Europe and the Middle East. She especially enjoyed her trip to Egypt, a trip she took with her son Doug that she envisioned in her Reading High School year book many years earlier.

Ruth was a pure soul and was a giving, kind and loving person who was respected by everyone she met. She will be missed every day.

Services will be Thursday at 12 p.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Burial will follow in Laureldale Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ruth's name may be directed to: Bethany Lutheran Church, 336 Franklin St, West Reading, PA 19611. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.