Ruth Ann Dufresne
June 30, 1936- October 1, 2019
After a long illness, Ruth Dufresne died peacefully at her home in Upper Marlboro, MD in the company of family on October 1, 2019. Ruth was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 57 years, Paul Dufrense. She will be buried next to him at Cheltenham VA cemetery. Ruth is survived by 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren, a brother, sister in law, brother in law and 7 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
In her long career as a registered nurse, Ruth worked in operating and emergency rooms and the pediatric clinic at Malcolm Grove Medical Clinics and Surgery Center on Joint Base Andrews. Until she retired at age 75, she continued working as an occupational health nurse at Boys Village at Cheltenham, EPA, the Census Bureau and the Kennedy Center – where she enjoyed many shows, ballets and operas.
Ruth and Paul traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states and many countries in Europe. They enjoyed family, sailing, aviation, and socializing “on base” together. Devoted to family, they put both of her daughters through college and provided a warm home life. Ruth had a talent for entertaining and hospitality, and hosted frequent dinner parties. You could always count on her for laughter and lively conversation. She enjoyed the company of her dear neighbors in Upper Marlboro and close friends in Glen Burnie, as well as old friends from high school, college and work.
Ruth was an avid bridge player and was a member of a bridge group at the Officers Club on Joint Base Andrews for more than 40 years. She was artistic and a skilled seamstress who also did tailoring, upholstery, and knitted argyle socks and sweaters.
Although a long illness kept her homebound for the last couple of years, Ruth had devoted friends, neighbors, and family members to look in on her and keep her company.
Visitation
Services
- Graveside Service
Thursday, October 10, 2019
11:00 AM
Contributions
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Love you Mom. Dad has you with him now.
We shall find peace. We shall hear angels. We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds. – Anton Checkhov
Laura,
Condolences to you and your family during your time of mourning. May God continue to embrace you all in your time of need.
October 5, 2019
Carol and Laurie,
Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your dear mother.
I would like to thank you and compliment you for all your excellent effort caring for your Mother. She was so very lucky to have you with her for her final months of life. Your efforts were especially significant and stellar.
I loved both your Mother and Father very much. I always enjoyed seeing them. Separated by so many miles, I felt lucky to get to visit as much as we did. One of the fun things I learned from your Mom was when staying in a hotel always enjoy the pool. Set by the water and visit. It is most enjoyable. Like setting around a campfire, the pool draws conversation. I loved visiting with Aunt Ruth. We often laughed about many things. She had a fun sense of humor.
Visiting your parents a few years ago Aunt Ruth drove Mom and I to a rail station. We were riding the transit system into DC. The station was near a building where your Mom had worked at one time. She knew the way well. Due to road construction it took several wrong turns to find the transit station. We were finally dropped off at our destination. I said thank you for the ride and before I closed the car door I said to your Mom “I hope you find your way back home”. We had a good laugh about it.
Yes she loved her cocktails and I have a very good margarita drink recipe from her kitchen.
Raise a toast to my admired and loving Aunt Ruth. I will be missing her for years to come.
With all my love to Ruth Ann’s family;
Mary Jo Bendickson
It is with warm memories and love that I learn of Ruth Ann’s passing. She was my favorite cousin and I admired her so very much. When visiting with my parents, John and Carole Kojis, she was always gracious in sharing her surroundings.
A lovely woman, she and Paul made a perfect couple.
Remember her well. Uncle Al and Aunt Ann Grunwald, along with my parents, now greet her. Warm memories of such a good woman. Sympathy to her family.
Patricia Kojis Johnson
Green Bay,
Wisconsin
I am so sorry to hear of Ruth’death. My deepest sympathy to you – Carol and Laurie. So hard to lose a parent. Your Mom was a special person. She had a good sense of humor, talented, and much loved by people. I remember her visiting grandma and grandpa on the farm when you were small. Was always fun visiting with her. She will be missed. Much love to both of you.
We are thinking of you as you celebrate your Ruth’s remarkable life. She was a generous hostess and storyteller like no other – we’ll so miss our long visits.
Dear Laurie and Carol,
Two very special nieces.
It is so hard to lose a parent, no matter the circumstances. So glad she was able to have her last days at home under your loving care. I so admire you for caring for her through her extended length of illness. She was a fun lady and loved by so many. A good and dedicated nurse. You can be so proud of her. We had so many fun visits with your parents over the years–in so many different places. Always enjoyed the times we spent together. Lots of good memories. For as many miles the separated us, we seemed to always managed to rendezvous someplace interesting. May she rest in peace.