In loving memory of
Ruth Fuller Bon Fleur

• Passed away on July 28, 2018

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Mrs. Ruth Bon Fleur 8/18/26 – 7/28/18 Ruth Bon Fleur went to be with the Lord on July 28, 2018. Ruth was born in New York City and moved to Newport News, Virginia when she was thirteen. Growing up Ruth sang on the local radio station and performed in the local theatre. She later attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Ruth moved to Daytona Beach with her family in 1947. She met George “Chub” Bon Fleur at a baseball game on City Island and they married in 1952, having four children: Bette, Bruce, David and Gene. Ruth was an employee of the City of Daytona Beach for 22 years. First as the License Clerk, then rising to the position of Clerk of the Municipal Court. She became a spokesperson for the city, meeting dignitaries and acting as a liaison between the mayor and visitors to the city. In this capacity and as a member of the Greeters Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, she met such notables as Adlai Stevenson, astronaut Alan Shepherd, Walter Cronkite, James Garner, George Jessel, Victor Borge, Paul Newman, Debbie Reynolds, Gregory Peck, Richard Petty and many others. Ruth joined the Palmetto Club in 1958 and held many offices at the department, club and district level. Ruth served as the Follies Chairman, acting, singing and dancing in several shows. She chaired and modeled in many fashion shows and has been the guest speaker at department meetings on subjects ranging from antiques to sea shells. At the Club level Ruth served as the Ways and Means Chairman, Club Photographer, Vice-President and eventually President. Ruth was always very involved in her community and ran for City Commissioner in the early 70’s, a time when women were not typically encouraged to pursue such interests. Ruth has been listed on several national and international “Who’s Who” lists for her community involvement, was named Daytona Beach Woman of the Year four times and was also elected Halifax Area Woman of the Year. Ruth served as President of the Mainland High School PTA, the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, the YWCA, the Seabreeze Writer’s Council, the Altrusa Club, Save Our Lovely Volusia Environment (SOLVE) and the Daytona Playhouse Guild. As chairman of the Volusia County Council’s Advisory Committee on environmental control, Ruth helped focus the County’s attention on bike paths, water conservation and saving local natural habitats. Ruth founded the “Potpourri in the Park” Arts and Craft Show, which was later renamed in her honor. Mayor Larry Kelly proclaimed May 16, 1984 “Ruth Bon Fleur Day” in the city of Daytona Beach, as a way of thanking her for all she had done for the community. Ruth was on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society VolusiaFlagler Division, winning the Excalibur Award for donations, as fundraising for worthy causes was yet another of her passions. In 2000 Ruth joined the Trustees of Daytona Beach Butterfly Education and Conservation Foundation, serving as Vice-President. Ruth was also very involved with the Museum of Arts and Sciences, as a Museum member and a Guild Member, where she excelled at fundraising and event management. She was also involved with the Halifax Historical Society, the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, where she would proudly display her WWII “V for Victory” pin collection. Ruth was a self-taught photographer and won many awards. She also authored many newspaper articles on antiques and collectibles. As a member of the White Chapel Church of God, Ruth sang in the choir weekly as well at the annual Easter musical and the Living Christmas Tree. Among her many interests were antique jewelry, vintage hats, shelling, photography, American Indian arts, Victorian-era teddy bears and NASCAR. Ruth and her family sat in the Scorer’s Stand for every Daytona 500 during the 60’s, with son Bruce “scoring” eventual winner Mario Andretti in 1967. A day spent with Ruth was always a memorable one and sure to be followed a few days later with an envelope full of pictures, re-living the day well spent. Ruth’s husband “Chub” of over 60 years passed away in early 2014, however she is survived by their four children who will miss her dearly: Bette, Bruce, David and Gene. “Chub” and Ruth also have four grandchildren, who they thoroughly enjoyed spoiling on a regular basis: Erik, Genevieve, Brent and Daniel. Ruth is also survived by three daughter-in-laws Marsha, Carrie and Cindy Bon Fleur, her brother Larry Tiffany, niece Michelle Murphy, nephew Michael Murphy and thousands of friends who she touched along her 91 year journey through a wonderful life well lived! She did so much for so many, she made the world a better place… Friends are encouraged to attend a memorial service in Ruth’s honor at noon on August 9, 2018 at White Chapel Church of God in South Daytona. Additional information is available on the Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home website.