Submitted by: Dan Rich
Aug. 16, 1929 - Nov. 18, 2007
South Bend Tribune 12/9/2007
SOUTH BEND - Ruth M. Crumlish, 78, of South Bend, passed
away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007. A
private burial has already taken place. Ruth was born August 16,
1929, to Elizabeth Fletcher and Cyrus E. Palmer in
Urbana, Illinois. She was the middle of three daughters, and
earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of
Illinois.
There she met her lifelong love, Brian J.
Crumlish, while she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She
and Brian were married on September 15, 1951, in Champaign, IL.
Together, they moved to South Bend from Urbana in 1963. Ruth was
a devoted wife and companion who accompanied her husband on two
trips around the world and many trips to Italy. Though
well-traveled, her favorite place was her own home. She continued
to use her artistic talents through sewing and caring for her
family. She was well-known for her meticulous use of the English
language and her passion for crossword puzzles. Among her
greatest pleasures was her love of ice cream.
Ruth is survived by a son, Brendan (Jean)
Crumlish of South Bend; and a daughter, Ann Crumlish (Mark Shuman)
of Crystal Lake, IL. She is also survived by a sister, Helen Mazzitelli,
a niece, Alexandra Mazzitelli, and a nephew, Dominic Mazzitelli,
all of Washington Township, NJ. Other survivors include a nephew,
Thomas Dowling (Cynthia Dillard); and a
great-niece, Audrey Dowling, all of Worthington, OH; a brother-
and sister-in-law, Joseph and Nancy C. Bruemmer; a nephew,
Christopher Bruemmer; and a niece, Susan Bruemmer, all of Tampa,
FL. Her parents, her husband, Brian, and her sister, Elizabeth Palmer,
preceded Ruth in death.
In celebration of Ruth's life, an ice cream
social will be held on Saturday, December 15, from 2 p.m. to 4
p.m. in the First Unitarian Church, 101 North Shore Drive, South
Bend, IN. Friends are invited to join family members and enjoy a
bowl of ice cream in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family
has requested that contributions be made to The Humane Society of
St. Joseph County.