Ruth Law Obituary

RUTH WORKMAN LAW Ruth Workman Law (nee Ruth Workman), May 19, 1909 - June 24, 2013, age 104, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, formerly of Princeton, New Jersey, Hopewell, New Jersey and Laings, Ohio, died peacefully on Monday, June24, 2013, after a brief illness, surrounded by all three of her daughters, Linda Krantz, Sara Schlenker and Kathy Orloski. Ruth was the daughter of the late Oscar and Odessa Lapp Workman of Alexandra, Ohio. Her father, Oscar, was both a farmer and a telegraph operator for the railroad. Ruth spent her early childhood on a farm that did not have running water or electricity. Her grandfather was a medical doctor who made house calls and sometimes got paid with fruit and vegetables, or live chickens. Ruth was the consummate story teller, and thrilled her children with vivid stories of life on the farm, complete with realistic animal noises. She told of her early school days in a one room school house in Seventeen, Ohio. The entire student body consisted of 20 students, grades 1 through 8. After she injured her hand on a corn cob cutter, she could not write, and indulged her real passion for reading, by reading every book in the school library. Ruth graduated from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, in 1931, with a double major in Math and English. She taught high school English in the Ohio public schools. While taking graduate courses in Education at Ohio State University, she met Harold Law, a graduate student in Physics. They married on June 13, 1942, shortly after he was awarded a Ph.D. in Physics. Ruth and Harold moved to Princeton, New Jersey. At her 100th birthday party, Ruth noted that she could not have married, "a kinder, nicer person than my husband, Harold." After marriage, Ruth temporarily put aside her teaching career to raise her three daughters. In 1952, Ruth returned to teaching at Miss Mason 's Private School in Princeton. The following year, Ruth accepted a position in the Princeton Township public schools, teaching Mathematics at the junior high level where she was one of the pioneers in teaching the "new" math. She was an award winning teacher at Valley Road School in Princeton, retiring from teaching in 1972. Ruth and Harold moved to Hopewell, New Jersey, where they grew and preserved organic vegetables of all kinds, and shared them with others. Ruth became the unofficial social director for the neighborhood. She even threw a baby shower for the neighbor 's pregnant donkey. Harold and Ruth had planned to retire together at the Willow Valley Lakes Community. Harold 's job with RCA often took him to Lancaster, where RCA had a major color TV production facility, and he fell in love with the area. Regrettably, Harold died unexpectedly in 1984, and Ruth moved to Willow Valley by herself in 1986, saying it was a way to stay close to Harold. She was actually the first resident to move into the Willow Valley Lakes complex. For the next 27 years, Ruth entertained her many friends with her stories, and joined them in playing bridge and doing New York Times crossword puzzles. As a centenarian, she still visited family, attending a party held by family to honor her 104th birthday, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on May 19, 2013. Ruth, always the teacher, decided many years ago, that her body should be donated to science so that medical students and others could learn from her. The family joked that she had better not die while her grandson was in medical school. At her request, no memorial service is planned. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. H.B. Law, her beloved younger sister, Elizabeth Workman, who passed away at age 9, and her younger brother, Harry "Bud" Workman (married to Catherine Workman), an entrepreneur in Medina, Ohio. Ruth is survived by her three daughters, Linda Krantz of Lexington, Virginia (married to David Krantz), Sara Schlenker of Willowbrook, Illinois (married to Dr. Robert Schlenker) and Kathy Orloski (married to Attorney Richard J. Orloski). She leaves behind seven grandchildren: Martin Schlenker of Grapevine, Texas (married to Lucy Schlenker), Laura Schlenker, R.N. of Chicago, Illinois (married to Shoji Naito), Attorney Richard Law Orloski (married to Alicia Forward), Rebecca Orloski, Attorney Kevin Law Orloski (married to Attorney Maraleen Shields) all of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dr. Joseph Law Orloski of Miami, Florida, and Katherine Orloski Watt (married to Nigel Watt) of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. In addition, she leaves eight great grandchildren: Ruth, Mabel and Conrad Schlenker of Grapevine, Texas; Otis and Kohana Naito of Chicago, Illinois; Isabel, Olivia and Cole Law Orloski, all of Allentown, Pennsylvania. A ninth great grandchild is expected in December. Contributions to The Salvation Army, her favorite charity.

Published by Suburban Life Publications on Jun. 28, 2013.
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I am deeply sorry for your loss. It's refreshing to know that God's words speaks of a time when all sorrow and mourning will be gone and mankind will live in beautiful surroundings with nothing to fear. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Mimi

July 4, 2013

Mrs. Law leaves a rich history of lessons and life stories interwoven with your own that will be lovingly passed on to future generations not yet met. May this bring some comfort in the days ahead when she is so dearly missed. Sincerely, Paulette Santillo

July 2, 2013

June 30, 2013

To The Family of Ruth Workman Law

I enjoyed reading the obituary of your loved one. She seemed like a person full of life with much to offer. I can see why she will be truly missed. As you reflect on your loved one think of the moments shared with her that are stored in your memory. Think too that one day soon God will do away with all the sickness and death that plague us. Please accept my deepest condolences.

June 29, 2013

On June 28th I was sorry to hear of your Mothers passing away, after reading her obituary it becomes clear why she was a chrished Mother and Grandmother....Tony Covello

June 29, 2013

June 29, 2013

June 29, 2013

June 29, 2013

Linda, what a beautiful memorial to a beautiful life. It's never easy to say farewell to your Mom, but you learn how to go on. I pray that you and your sisters will continue to live in the memory of her love.

Marcia (Ramsey) Wood

June 28, 2013

So sorry to read about your mother's passing. It did make me feel nostalgic about Princeton though. Hope you are doing well.

Mary Beidler-Hovik

June 28, 2013

What a Beautiful Tribute to your Mother ~

June 27, 2013

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