Ruth Doyle Dillman's Obituary
Ruth Helen Doyle Dillman, 81, of Waterford, VA passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016 at her home with her family. Family was the central focus of Ruth's life.
She was born September 27, 1934 in Chilhowie, VA to Carrie Mae and Floyd Cochrane Doyle. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Quentin Delano Dillman. She is survived by their four children: Kimberly Lynn Foskey, Rebecca Kay Schaffer, Robert Quentin Dillman and Richard Samuel Dillman, and their six grandchildren: Jason, Shannon and Corinne Foskey, Brandon and Shelby Dillman, and Avery Hare. She is also survived by her two sisters Margaret Thomas and Mary Stinson.
Ruth graduated from Chilhowie High School in 1952, where she was voted Most Likely to Succeed by her senior class. She met Quentin at Brunswick, where they both worked, in Marion, VA. They married in 1957 and soon after moved to Arlington, VA. Ruth worked as a secretary at Booze, Allen & Hamilton in Washington, DC for several years until they started their family in 1961. Ruth and Quentin raised their 4 children in Arlington, Vienna and Chantilly, VA. Later in her life she went back to work at AAA, and developed many friendships. She retired, and she and Quentin moved to Waterford, VA in 2007.
Ruth and Quentin took their family on many trips. Camping was a favorite of the Dillman family. They'd pick apples to make apple butter, and go on day trips to see the leaves change in the fall and collect walnuts. She loved flowers, and her yard was full of them. She also enjoyed many flowering trees and bushes at their home. She loved nature and would watch out the bay window at the squirrel busily trying to get into the birdfeeder. Deer & chipmunks, wild turkeys & foxes, raccoons & groundhogs all found a safe haven in Ruth's back yard. Although the raccoon and groundhog did have a fondness for her garden and the bird food, she spared them.
Ruth was a voracious reader. You could easily find a mystery, suspense or romance novel close at hand. The newspaper was read each day front to back. She could discuss any story in it with you in great detail. Raising 4 children, with a set of twins, could be challenging at times, but Ruth managed it all while making her children feel important, and loved. It was common to hear her singing while she worked in her house, yard and garden.
If it involved family she was all in. Shopping marathons with her children & grandchildren, tending her vegetable garden and canning the results well into the night were common events at the Dillman house. She loved having people over, and her home was the hub for family and friends to be together.
Ruth was a night owl. Many nights she'd be up late, working on a crossword puzzle (which she loved) while eating sweets & drinking coffee. She enjoyed talking into the wee hours of the morning with her son, Richard, the night owl of her brood.
Ruth ran her household. In her house things were always, 'just right'. She made it look easy. Before there was a term for multi-tasking, there was Ruth. Setting the table as she talked to you while finishing up dinner, she always had it all under control. Ruth made sure no one went hungry at her house. The standing joke was you gained 5 pounds just coming in the door.
Ruth was a loving, intelligent and funny woman. She raised her family with strong moral values and unconditional love. She was a mother, a wife, a grandmother and a friend to all who knew her. She is missed.
What’s your fondest memory of Ruth?
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Share a story where Ruth's kindness touched your heart.
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