Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Calls outside of office hours? No worries! Our team will respond within 10–15 minutes.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, May 17, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 18, 2015 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Ruth Helen Maltman, age 84, of Wayne, went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, May 11, 2015.
Born in Paterson, Ruth was raised in Fair Lawn. After graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in Paterson with the Class of 1949, Ruth continued her studies at Paterson State Teachers College. In the era when she attended, the college was located on 21st Avenue and Market Street in Paterson. It’s known today as William Paterson University, located in Wayne. She majored in Elementary Education and she graduated with her teaching degree in 1953 at the campus in Wayne. The second class to graduate from there.
While attending college, Ruth met a fine young man named David Maltman who was also a student there. Their first date was to the movies. David doesn’t remember what they saw but he does recall that they took a great liking to each other! Since David enjoyed ice skating, he also took Ruth skating on Greenwood Lake. David left school early and went off to serve in the U.S. Navy. They continued to date and one weekend, while he was in boot camp in Newport Rhode Island, Ruth came to visit along with David’s parents. Looking for an opportunity to be alone, Ruth and David went for a walk on the beach. While walking, he asked Ruth for her hand in marriage. They exchanged their wedding vows before family and friends at St. Anne’s Church in Fair Lawn on Sunday, July 12, 1953. After a reception celebration at the Wayne Manor, they spent their honeymoon traveling through New England, including a stay in Martha’s Vineyard.
The following September Ruth began her career as a second grade teacher in the Hillsdale Public School System. She taught for one-and-a-half years, then retired temporarily so she could raise her newborn baby girl, Patricia. Over time, Ruth and David were blessed with two more daughters and two sons. Ruth dedicated herself to raising her five children and providing a loving home for her family. In 1957, the family moved to Wayne where Ruth has remained to the present.
In 1973, Ruth returned to teaching, this time as a substitute teacher in the Wayne Schools. She enjoyed educating for fourteen years, retiring again in 1987.
Ruth and David had some great retirement years together traveling throughout the U.S. In 1992, they purchased a home in Sarasota, FL. While she loved being with her family, Ruth increasingly grew to dislike the cold winters, so when winter arrived, she and David would say goodbye to their family and head south for a few months. She and David enjoyed their Florida home until selling it in 2013. She spent her childhood and teenage summers at Lavallette.
Ruth was blessed with some really special friendships in her life. She stayed in contact with a group of six girlfriends she met during her years in college. Once-a-month they all got together to do something fun like take a trip to Peddler’s Village or some other destination, and through their friendships, their families also got to know each other and spend good times together too.
Most of all, Ruth enjoyed her family. When her children were young she dedicated her life to raising and providing a loving home for them. She especially loved having them gathered all together for Christmas and her children have fond memories of that most-special holiday. She also planned and hosted 4th of July picnics for family and friends for over 50 years.
Ruth was a quiet, strong woman. Her husband David described her as the glue that held the family together. She was a positive role model for her children and other family members and she never said anything negative about anyone. She forgave people that hurt her and continued to be their friend. She was a positive, loving person who inspired others who knew her to be better people.
Ruth is survived by her beloved husband David, to whom she was blessed to be married for 61 years; her five dear children: Patricia Costello of Totowa, David M. Maltman of Wayne, Kathryn Alvaro and husband Al of Hillsborough, Jayne Maltman of Lawrenceville, and Christopher Maltman of New York City; seven adored grandchildren: Michael Costello, Katelyn Costello, Allison Alvaro, Nicholas Alvaro, Christine Di Bella, Frank Di Bella, and Robert Di Bella; one cherished great-grandson: Evan Di Bella; and one brother: Howard Wilkes of Bloomingdale.
Ruth was predeceased by her parents: Frank and Ruth Wilkes; her brother Charles Wilkes; her aunt Letitia Poirier; and her son-in-law Thomas Costello.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Ruth’s name are asked to consider Valley Hospice, 223 North Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, May 17, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 18, 2015 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, May 17, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:00 AM on Monday, May 18, 2015 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Ruth Helen Maltman, age 84, of Wayne, went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, May 11, 2015.
Born in Paterson, Ruth was raised in Fair Lawn. After graduating from St. Joseph’s High School in Paterson with the Class of 1949, Ruth continued her studies at Paterson State Teachers College. In the era when she attended, the college was located on 21st Avenue and Market Street in Paterson. It’s known today as William Paterson University, located in Wayne. She majored in Elementary Education and she graduated with her teaching degree in 1953 at the campus in Wayne. The second class to graduate from there.
While attending college, Ruth met a fine young man named David Maltman who was also a student there. Their first date was to the movies. David doesn’t remember what they saw but he does recall that they took a great liking to each other! Since David enjoyed ice skating, he also took Ruth skating on Greenwood Lake. David left school early and went off to serve in the U.S. Navy. They continued to date and one weekend, while he was in boot camp in Newport Rhode Island, Ruth came to visit along with David’s parents. Looking for an opportunity to be alone, Ruth and David went for a walk on the beach. While walking, he asked Ruth for her hand in marriage. They exchanged their wedding vows before family and friends at St. Anne’s Church in Fair Lawn on Sunday, July 12, 1953. After a reception celebration at the Wayne Manor, they spent their honeymoon traveling through New England, including a stay in Martha’s Vineyard.
The following September Ruth began her career as a second grade teacher in the Hillsdale Public School System. She taught for one-and-a-half years, then retired temporarily so she could raise her newborn baby girl, Patricia. Over time, Ruth and David were blessed with two more daughters and two sons. Ruth dedicated herself to raising her five children and providing a loving home for her family. In 1957, the family moved to Wayne where Ruth has remained to the present.
In 1973, Ruth returned to teaching, this time as a substitute teacher in the Wayne Schools. She enjoyed educating for fourteen years, retiring again in 1987.
Ruth and David had some great retirement years together traveling throughout the U.S. In 1992, they purchased a home in Sarasota, FL. While she loved being with her family, Ruth increasingly grew to dislike the cold winters, so when winter arrived, she and David would say goodbye to their family and head south for a few months. She and David enjoyed their Florida home until selling it in 2013. She spent her childhood and teenage summers at Lavallette.
Ruth was blessed with some really special friendships in her life. She stayed in contact with a group of six girlfriends she met during her years in college. Once-a-month they all got together to do something fun like take a trip to Peddler’s Village or some other destination, and through their friendships, their families also got to know each other and spend good times together too.
Most of all, Ruth enjoyed her family. When her children were young she dedicated her life to raising and providing a loving home for them. She especially loved having them gathered all together for Christmas and her children have fond memories of that most-special holiday. She also planned and hosted 4th of July picnics for family and friends for over 50 years.
Ruth was a quiet, strong woman. Her husband David described her as the glue that held the family together. She was a positive role model for her children and other family members and she never said anything negative about anyone. She forgave people that hurt her and continued to be their friend. She was a positive, loving person who inspired others who knew her to be better people.
Ruth is survived by her beloved husband David, to whom she was blessed to be married for 61 years; her five dear children: Patricia Costello of Totowa, David M. Maltman of Wayne, Kathryn Alvaro and husband Al of Hillsborough, Jayne Maltman of Lawrenceville, and Christopher Maltman of New York City; seven adored grandchildren: Michael Costello, Katelyn Costello, Allison Alvaro, Nicholas Alvaro, Christine Di Bella, Frank Di Bella, and Robert Di Bella; one cherished great-grandson: Evan Di Bella; and one brother: Howard Wilkes of Bloomingdale.
Ruth was predeceased by her parents: Frank and Ruth Wilkes; her brother Charles Wilkes; her aunt Letitia Poirier; and her son-in-law Thomas Costello.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Ruth’s name are asked to consider Valley Hospice, 223 North Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
Guestbook