July 2, 1920 – March 24, 2012
Ruth Elizabeth Meltzer, age 91 of Anderson, passed away peacefully at the Rainey Hospice House. She was born on July 2, 1920, in Hartford, CT. She was a graduate of the Mount St. Joseph’s Academy in Hartford, and attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Ruth also studied nursing at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. In 1942, Ruth married the love of her life, Gilbert Meltzer. After Gil’s service in World War II, they returned to his hometown of Elmira, NY, where they made their home for the next 40 years. Gil and Ruth continued the family business, a women’s ready-to-wear clothing store called The Lovely Shop. Ruth also attended and graduated from Elmira College.
She also worked for the New York Welfare Department and taught sixth grade in the Elmira public schools. However, Ruth’s main focus was always her husband Gil and children, David and Susan. Upon retirement, Ruth and Gil moved to Sarasota, FL, and later to Dallas, TX. Following the death of Gil in 2004, after 61 years of marriage, Ruth moved to Anderson, SC. In 2005, at age 84, she joined the Rotary Club of Greater Anderson, making her the oldest new member of that organization. She had a great love and appreciation for musicals, both cinematic and live theater. A consummate optimist, she especially loved uplifting themes and music, and demonstrated to all who knew her how to age with grace and class.
Those left to carry on the legacy of Ruth Meltzer include her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. David W. Meltzer of Dallas, TX; her daughter, Susan Meltzer Tuten and son-in-law Dr. Thomas U. Tuten of Anderson, SC; six grandchildren, Dr. Robert H. Meltzer, Dr. Amanda Meltzer Rush, Sarah Meltzer Wandrey, Esq., Dr. T. Alexander Tuten, Dr. Jane Tuten Ware, and Caroline Amelia Tuten; and 6 great-grandchildren. The family appreciates the love and attention given by her friend and caregiver Shirley Brown over the past four and a half years.
A reception honoring and celebrating the life of Ruth Meltzer will be held Thursday evening, March 29, 2012, from 6 PM until 8 PM, at The McDougald Family Center.
Memorial contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to the Cancer Association of Anderson Sustainability Fund, 215 E. Calhoun Street, Anderson, SC 29621.
A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.