Obituary
Ruth Otto, Titusville FL, finished her journey here on earth as the sun rose January 28, 2025.
Sunrise was Mom’s favorite time of the day. That was her hour to start the day with her daily
three-mile walk.
Ruth is survived by her son Mark and daughter-in-law Kathy who were talking with her and holding her hand in those last hours. She is also survived by her late two husband’s children, Linda, Joanne, Randy and 5 step grandchildren.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 sisters, 1 brother and 2 nephews.
Survivors include 3 nieces and 3 nephews and her treasured sister-in-law Janice.
Ruth’s niece, Karen and her nephew Peter made Ruth’s day with phone calls and emails.
If a donation is considered, please remember St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the ACLU.
San D. February 9, 2025
I used to walk with Ruth (before I got my dog, Bailey) every morning. She was very proud of Mark and Kathy and spoke glowingly about them. She was very intelligent, witty, and fierce. She will be missed. San D
Linda Cardinale. February 9, 2025
Your Mom was such a lovely lady. I first met her while walking my dog Kimba. She was always so friendly and gracious. Her sunny smile and disposition will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy/Corey. February 9, 2025
I met Ruth a number of years ago through Mark & Kathy. We became wonderful friends. I loved biking over to her place for coffee. She always had the table set so lovely. We could chat for hours. I admired her strength, and she always spoke her mind. She will be missed.
Jess and Harley G. February 6, 2025
Mrs Ruth was a great neighbor and friend. She was very kind and generous. After my family moved to FL, far away from family, Ruth quickly adopted my daughter as one of her own. She was always interested in how she was doing in school, and even attended school functions. Mrs Ruth will always be cherished for the time she took to make my daughter feel loved and special. I can´t tell you how many worldly conversations we had at the end of the driveway. I loved her candor, and appreciate her wise words. She never wavered in her kindness to us, and we will always remember and be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
Sunshine.
So quick with a compliment. I really can’t remember a time when Ruth didn’t have one for me or Kari. How cute Kari’s outfit was or how she liked Kari’s haircut. Other fun and funny compliments like, “Peter you better keep an eye on Kari. The men will all be after her,” or “Peter, you look so sharp in that shirt.” Or how smart we were because we did this or that. Always so fun. One thing that I got a kick out of was when she would say something nice about our car, that was funny, we have an 04 Intrepid, my bet is she was the last to compliment someone’s Dodge Intrepid.
Generosity.
Going out with Ruth was just plain fun. Great visits with conversations about the past, present, and future. I always felt like we enjoyed each other’s company and of course, a lot of that was sharing memories about her mom, (my Grandma Lilly), and her brother Dick, (my dad). In every conversation, she always worked in precious lifelong advice that was worth remembering. For years I tried to buy lunch or dinner, hopeless, she would have none of that! This tiff would frequently end with a proclamation like, “I will be in trouble with the city fathers if I let you pay.” So quick and with a wonderful sense of humor. She has been a joy and delightful to have in our lives.
Aunt Ruth will be in our hearts forever.
Whenever I was in the Orlando area periodically over the years, I would stay a night with Ruth and we would visit. I enjoyed our visits, she was a great conversationalist and would always speak her mind. She was so kind to me as a child, I have such positive memories of her. When she knew we were coming over when we were young, she would buy all of the ingredients for us to make homemade ice cream in the ice cream maker and it was so fun. Later on, she was the one that got me on Facebook, she was on it before I was. When online bill pay was new, she was doing it and I was hesitant and she said she never has any trouble with bills not being paid so I signed up for online bill pay as well. She had a positive impact on my life and will be missed.
I took this picture of Ruth on Dec. 17, 2019. I was just finishing my morning walk with Karma (my dog) and Ruth was walking by. She admired my newest Christmas decoration, so I suggested taking a photo of her with it. Of course she had her ever present golf club with her!
Ruth will definitely be missed by those who knew her, and especially all of us who were blessed by her presence and shared wisdom on her morning walks.
A photograph of Ruth on her morning walk on Playalinda beach. What perfect way to start the day!
Love you -Joanne & Gerry Proteau
A favorite picture of Joanne and Ruth taken before she left Winnipeg for Florida. Ruth was a vibrant soul, known for her exceptional conversational skills and boundless energy. She was well-informed about the issues of the day and always had something insightful to share. Ruth found immense joy in playing golf at the St. Charles Country Club in Winnipeg, MB. Her passion for the game was evident, and she cherished the many rounds she played with friends and family. As we remember Ruth, we hold on to the wonderful memories of her lively spirit and the wisdom she shared with us. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her -Joanne & Gerry Proteau.
Mom was an energetic independent woman who knew how to weather a storm. As a single mom who raised me back in the '50's and '60's, she navigated a world that didn't offer equal opportunity to women in the work-world. She was fiercely loyal to friends, but did not suffer fools easily - she could be a storm to be reckoned with! She found happiness and love again after my father later in life with her beloved husband Fred Otto.
And she was brave. Upon receiving a tough medical diagnosis last October, without missing a beat, she said she didn't want any unnecessary interventions or treatments. - not wishing to go out dependent on machines, radiation or toxic chemo treatments. She told friends who'd console her that she'd lived a long, good life, and had her time in the sun. A life well lived with a good attitude carried to the end.
To those who knew her, she was a giving soul with a kind heart. She often lent a hand - driving friends to doctor appointments, take elderly friends out to eat at favorite restaurants (and always quick to grab the bill), and she volunteered at the local theater. She made friends easily - as witnessed by many people she met over the years on her morning walks. She was gracious in remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and extending compliments.
Mom was sharp as a tack right to the end as we reminisced and went through old photographs - remembering dates, names, places, and events. She was engaged in the world taking keen interest in current events and politics here and abroad, and never missed voting in an election. Like all of us she had regrets, but didn't dwell on them - her major disappointment was that she didn't live to see a woman president.
She had a sense of humor and quick wit - a couple nights before she passed she told me "I wish I could catch that rascal who would let me sleep and not wake up." [We often talked of the sand man on nights she had trouble to sleeping.] She was ready, as she said well past ready to be done with the struggle and overwhelming tiredness.
Mom finished her journey here on earth, but will be missed and remembered by those us us who remain and knew her. Rest in peace Mom.
She will be missed!
Vicki K
Rest in peace sweet lady
Ruth was a home gardener who loved plants surrounding her. She was a kind and generous woman with a bit of a feisty nature. She enjoyed engaging people in conversations about themselves, family, current events, politics, wherever the heart would lead them. Although her love of birds was infinite, she was a people-person. Life was enriched for those who knew and loved her.
beach walks - a favorite of Mom's
front yard photos