Obituary for
Beatrice Nesbitt Ruthven
Beatrice Nesbitt Ruthven, two months shy of 99, of Frankfort died Friday, morning May 20, 2016 at her home.
She was born on July 30, 1917 in Detroit the daughter of the late Paul & Anna (Beattie) Nesbitt. She was a graduate of Albion College. She married Bryant Walker Ruthven in 1940. He preceded her in death on December 12, 2011.
Beatrice was a prolific painter and bridge player. She also initiated the Volunteer Program at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort.
Survivors include her children; Dr. Alexander Ruthven, II MD of Port Huron, and Becky Ruthven of Westport, CT, and three grandchildren; Alexander Ruthven, III of Phoenix, AZ, John Ruthven of Chicago, IL, and Kristina Ruthven of Ypsilanti, MI.
Cremation has taken place and no services are planned.
Memorial’s in Beatrice’s name may be directed to the Animal Welfare League of Benzie County,P.O.Box 172, Frankfort, MI 49635.
Please visit Beatrice’s personal page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a story or photo. The family has entrusted the Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center with funeral arrangements.
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Life Story for Beatrice Nesbitt Ruthven
Beatrice Nesbitt Ruthven, teacher, volunteer, and artist died Friday morning May 20, 2016 at her home two months shy of 99.
She was born July 30, 1917, daughter of Paul and Anne Nesbitt. Mrs. Ruthven received her undergraduate degree from Albion College and later attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee where she majored in education.
She taught in Knoxville, Tennessee, then, following her husband’s career in the foreign service, taught at the St. Johns Academy in Puerto Rico and in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.
As a volunteer, she worked several years in El Hospital de Los Ninos in Panama. Then, after her husband retired and they returned to the family home in Frankfort, she was asked to organize and administer the Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital volunteer program. The POMH Beatrice Ruthven Guild was named in her honor. Later she sat on the POMH Board of Directors.
As an artist, her work was enriched by the colorful scenes and faces she had known in her overseas travels.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Alexander Ruthven II of Port Huron, her daughter, Becky Ruthven of Westport, CT and three grandchildren; Alexander Ruthven, III of Phoenix, AZ, John Ruthven of Chicago, IL, and Kristina Ruthven of Ypsilanti, MI. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bryant Walker Ruthven.
No Services are planned.
Donations may be made to The Animal Welfare League of Benzie County,P.O Box 172, Frankfort, MI 49635.
Please visit Beatrice’s personal page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a story or photo. The family has entrusted the Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center with funeral arrangements.