Ruth L. Carlson

Ruth Lois Carlson, age 89, of Wayne NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. 

Ruth was born to Cornelia (Katie) and Cornelius Grinwis on August 13, 1933, the youngest of five children.  She graduated Clifton High School where she met Lorraine Sager, a lifelong friend and fellow adventurer, and her husband, Allen Carlson.  She continued her education at Passaic General Nursing School. 

Ruth’s professional career spanned many aspects of nursing, from doctor’s offices to Labor & Delivery, to Visiting Nurse to Utilization Review.  She retired from Preakness Hospital in 1999 where she was Infection Control/Quality Assurance Director.  Ruth’s passion for nursing encompassed all areas of her life.  She used her nursing skills on anyone who needed help and shared her medical knowledge freely. 

Ruth loved spending time with family and friends.  Her door was open to all.  Her Christmas Open House parties were legendary, along with her famous sausage peppers and onions.  During the summer months she spent many days by her pool where, again, all were welcome. 

If Ruth wasn’t home at her pool, she was at the beach.  Every summer she would pack up her kids and any willing participant and drive to Gulf Shores, Alabama to her sister Grace’s beach house.  She would visit Freeport, Bahamas with Lorraine every winter.  Later in life she would spend summers with her children and grandchildren at Myrtle Beach and the Jersey Shore.   She travelled extensively in the Caribbean.  Most sunsets she would crack open an ice cold canned beer on the beach and savor the moment. 

Ruth’s passport was filled with stamps from Egypt, Greece, Netherlands, Turkey, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Africa. She white water rafted on the Zambezi River (grade 5) in her 70’s.  She enjoyed travelling to many Western states with her boyfriend Don Fissel, Lorraine, and other friends.  She had no qualms about travelling alone – if there was somewhere she wanted to go, she went.  

Ruth’s hobbies included bridge, tennis, bowling, reading, scrabble, doing crosswords, and ping pong.  She owned multitudes of cats; at one time she had 16, including rescued feral cats.  She was a talented artist and her oil paintings are displayed throughout her home. 

Ruth lived in Packanack Lake for 56 years and loved the community.  She was known as Dr. Ruth for her frank and open conversation.  She had a quick wit and a wry sense of humor.  She made an indelible impression on everyone she encountered. 

Ruth was a loving and supportive mom to Cathy, Tommy and Barbara and an adoring mema to James, Samantha and Katie.  She was an amazing Aunt Ruth to numerous nieces and nephews and a great friend and confidant to many. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Wayne Animal Shelter, 201 Pompton Plains Crossroads, Wayne NJ or the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne NJ, would be appreciated.