Constance Ruth

Constance Ann Floyd Ruth, "Connie" or "Mama Ruth" to so, so many kids, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2020. Connie was born to Chuck and Marian Floyd on October 28, 1931 in Detroit, MI. She grew up living all over, as she was an "Army Brat." Her real passion for life was when she finally landed on her Uncle Baba's peach tree farm in Petersburg, MI. This was truly the place of some of her most cherished memories began as a child. She graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1949 and continued her education with The University of Toledo with special focus on Spanish culture and becoming fluid in the language. In 1950 she married her first husband Ralph C. Girkins Jr. and together they had seven children: Ralph (Joyce), Chipper (Pam), Johnny, Joe (Tami), Julie (Yavuz), Gregory and Jennifer (Dennis). While living in Lambertville, MI (Green Hills), Connie met Jack Ruth Sr., incidentally her neighbor. Their affection for each other was undeniable. It was the beginning of one of the greatest love stories you will ever hear. Jack had four boys Jack Jr. (Carrie), David (Sue), Gari (Darlene) and Mark (Barb). Together, they had two more kids Tony (Monica) and Sarah. Yes, that is 13 kids, and not to forget 24 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Each brining more love, joy and happiness to one very big and very crazy family! They absolutely loved raising all of their kids in Sylvania and treasured all the friends and memories they made there. Connie and Jack had a strong passion for the Lake Erie Islands spending many years right on the water at Catawba Island Club. Later, they moved to Sarasota, FL and created lifetime friendships with wonderful people. Their most loved friends are John and Lilo Gallo. Their endless parties and hysterical stories are still shared and talked about to this very day. Our parents were legends and wherever they were, people wanted to be right there with them too. Connie's professional career started with Delta Tool. Selling truck bed mounted toolboxes, she put Delta Tool on the map with her first sale to General Motors. She had a short gig with Superior Motor Coach and she absolutely loved it. She purchased Ravena Quarry from the State of Ohio, putting to work over 100 homeless hippies occupying the property. They loved her even more for that! She had the kids clean it up, make it safe and re-open to the public for swimming and entertaining. Inadvertently, our dad found out about the transaction on his way home from a business trip while listening to the radio. She also worked for Brown Pontiac as the Fleet Manager from 1982-1989. She was dynamic, winning the Ohio state bid for 1,200 blue Pontiac Phoenix cars and yellow trucks used by the City of Columbus. In 1990 Even more predominately, our mom opened "Connie Ruth's Cards and Flowers" in Sylvania. She and her crew, daily, made the world a more beautiful place. Our Mom's small hands touched every single person she ever met. And if even just for that moment…she had the ability to make that person feel like the most important person in the entire world. Her smile, love, affection, infectious candor and her hugs still resonate with everyone who knew her. Her little body standing only all of 5' tall, she really stood closer to 6'5" tall with everything that she was proud of and she was very, very, confident of that. Our sister Jennifer was unmatched in her selflessness and attention to every single detail of Mom's wants, desires, comfort, happiness and her needs. You were her ROCK and she to you, always in your very soul. Your candy bucket on the second floor will be missed. Special thanks and love extended out to the Ohio Living/Swan Creek second floor staff for their unconditional and genuine care for Connie. Connie's family asks that you please join them to celebrate her legacy. Visitation will be held at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road Toledo, OH 43614 on Saturday December 19th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm with special notes, stories and memoirs being shared, beginning at 4:00 PM. Respectfully, masks and social distancing are both required. Please leave a condolence message for the family and watch Connie's memorial video tribute at CoyleFuneralHome.com. And in her own words, "Alrighty, for heaven's sake that'll do now…that'll do!"

Tributes

Constance Ruth

October 28, 1931 - December 1, 2020