Ruth Dillow

Passed from this life on 16 October 2009 at The Health Center of Merritt Island where she had resided for four and a half months in failing health. Her daughter, Barbara, and grandson, John, were by her side. Born 1 July 1918 in Danville, Illinois to Louis Henry and Grace Kirchhoff. She is survived by her only child, Barbara Dillow Fiddler of Durango, CO, and Cape Canaveral, FL, grandsons Dr. John E. Fiddler and Amy Dalo of Seattle, WA, Thomas C. Fiddler and wife Kelly, and great-grandson Elias M. Fiddler of Durango, CO. Sister Vera K. Entwistle and nephew Robert Entwistle of Madison, WI, son-in law John F. Fiddler, Sherman, CT. and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband N. Eugene Dillow. She grew up in Sollitt, Illinois and attended the one room school house there for eleven years. She graduated from Bloom Township High School in 1935, riding the train each day to Chicago Heights to attend school, music lessons, and trips to the museums. Ruth graduated from the University of Illinois in 1939, and often remarked that her great gift to humanity was that she never taught school. She married her college sweetheart, Eugene Dillow in November 1939 and continued a lifelong love affair. They shared a life of hard work and success, travel, food, golf, and long friendships. A long time resident of Richmond, MA in the Berkshires, she was a member of The Country Club of Pittsfield for over 50 years, and Suntree Country Club of Melbourne, FL. Ruth will be remembered as an extraordinary woman who lived through extraordinary times. A product of the Great Depression, she lost her Father at the age of 13 and was raised by her Mother. She will be remembered as a strong matriarch, a formidable business woman with a keen intellect, an avid bridge player, veracious reader, golfer, cook and hostess. Her dinner parties were memorable . Her sharp sense of humour was legion. She was a fiercely loyal friend, Mother, Oma, and Alte Oma. She will be sorely missed. A grand lady in the grand tradition. A Celebration of her life is planned for November 24th at Suntree Country Club. Gifts to the N.Eugene and Ruth K. Dillow Endowed Scholarship Fund at Culver-Stockton College, att: Advancement Office, 1 College Hill, Canton, MO 63435.would be most appreciated.