Ruth S. Roth

Ruth Silver Roth, 81, of Bowie, MD, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2022 with her family by her side in the preceding days.  She was born February 5, 1940 and was most fortunate to have been adopted as an infant by Irene and Alfred Silver.   Ruth was a 1957 graduate of Convent of the Visitation in St. Paul, MN.  She attended St. Mary of the Woods College, Terra Haute, IN for two years and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1961.

Dedication to family, faith and community were the cornerstone upon which Ruth built and lived her life with her late husband Michael C. Roth. They married in December of 1961 and began 28 years of Navy life, starting in Pensacola, FL. She was by his side and provided loving care for 58 years and 363 days.

Ruth made a difference in people’s lives.  After college, she worked for Catholic Welfare and later began her hospital career.  She worked at Bath Memorial Hospital in Bath, ME, continued at Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, VA, and enjoyed 20 years at Children's Hospital in Oakland CA.  Upon moving to Bowie, she was so happy to have a part time job for 14 years at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Ruth enjoyed all of her volunteer opportunities, serving her church parish and Navy community wherever they lived. She was a long-time parishioner of St Pius X Church and was especially active as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Sodality member.  She volunteered at the Glenn Dale Volunteer Fire Department, entering reports in the computer and was a committee member and Block Captain for her Fairwood community. She was an active team member and participant in the annual National Night Out Event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.  It made Ruth so happy to slice up and serve, with a smile, hundreds of slices of pizza to her neighbors and local First Responders.  Not to mention, she was thrilled to take a few leftover slices home so she didn’t have to cook the next day! She loved a good “to-go” box!

Ruth was an avid reader of books as well as an actual old-school the “paper” newspaper that she read daily, cover to cover.  She was an advocate of her local public library and made frequent, bi-weekly visits.  She rarely ventured out without a book or newspaper in her purse…just in case she had a spare few minutes.

She loved listening to the radio, whether sports or political pundits.  She listened from morning ‘til night…and often in the middle of the night.  She even traveled with a small, personal radio to keep her company. ESPN Radio was a staple and Tony Kornheiser was a personal favorite who brought her much joy and entertainment.

Ruth loved trees, hosting gatherings for her family and friends and shopping to find the best bargain! She had a style, a smile and personality like no other!  We will miss Ruth’s energy, that sparkle in her eye…and her sweater, and her shoes and her jewelry…simply put, she brightened OUR World!

Ruth was a true matriarch and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her beloved family. She is survived by her children Steve, Liz (Bill) Waller; Kristin (John) Weakland; and Margaret Roth and grandchildren Eric and Tyler Roth; Matt (Michelle), Megan and Thomas Waller; Nicole Wilson and Logan and Mackenzie Weakland, and sister Elizabeth Reardon. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Michael in 2020 and grandson, Michael in 1991.

Visitation for friends and family will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 14720 Annapolis Rd. Bowie, MD, on Friday February 11 from 10:15 am until the start of funeral services at 11:00 am.   

Interment will take place at US Naval Academy Columbarium on April 28, 2022.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Pius X Church Bowie, MD https://spxbowie.org/give-now  or Holy Cross Hospice  https://donate.trinityhealthathome.org/   (Select Holy Cross – Maryland)

Condolences are welcomed at www.beallfuneral.com