Ruth Patricia Ferguson Hess, 66, died October 12, 2019 in Clearwater, Florida. She was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania on March 21, 1953 to Patricia Norman Ferguson and the late William Thomas Ferguson.
Ruth was a daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt and good friend. She grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and attended University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. She moved to Naples, Florida in the early 1980’s and then moved to the Tampa Bay area in the early 90’s. She lived in Valrico for a while and then moved to Bellaire Beach. She devoted her life as a pharmacist working her way up to the Director of Pharmacy Operations at the Eckerd Corporation and finished her career with Pharmerica. She continued working as a volunteer on the board of the Eckerd Credit Union.
Ruth loved living on the beach and had many friends in her neighborhood on Bellaire Beach. Walking the beach and collecting shells was a favorite pastime, an amateur conchologist. She was a great baker and would make over 5,000 cookies with her mom and friends at Christmas. She was a member of Indian Rocks Baptist Church and a dedicated volunteer for different ministries. After retirement, she loved attending multiple bible studies with all her friends. A travel buff, Ruth made recent trips that included Washington D.C., Israel, San Francisco, Costa Rica, Peru and Albuquerque.
Ruth will be dearly missed. Her love was expressed well to many. She had the gift of hospitality and enjoyed entertaining. No dinner was complete unless a chicken cheeseball appetizer was consumed prior to the meal. She enjoyed sharing her recipes and collecting others. With her chemistry training, she enjoyed trying to duplicate recipes she tried when she went out to eat. Skyline Chili better watch out!
Ruth is survived by her mom, siblings Jim Ferguson (Shari), Paul Ferguson (Christy), Becky Goertemoeller (Carl) and Tim Ferguson (Janette), nieces and nephews including the late James Anthony Ferguson, Andy Ferguson, Lauren Goertemoeller Speaks (Dustin), Stephen Goertemoeller (Lezleigh), Brian Goertemoeller, Tyler Ferguson (Kimmie), Ryan Ferguson and Ashley Ferguson. Great-Aunt to Ellie, Joshua and Liam Speaks.
A memorial service will be held at Indian Rocks Baptist Church on Thursday, October 17, 2019, at 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shepherd’s Village at https://shepherdsvillage.com/
My sympathy & Prayers for all of Ruth’s love family & dear Mother.
You surely touched all of us your coworkers at Pharmerica Ruth & will always be in our hearts❤️! Rest In Peace now for all eternity!
Prayers for your family and friends. You touched a lot of lives and made lots of memories with so many. I will never forget your christmas chex mix. Best ever :) you will be missed. Rest in Peace and enjoy your heavenly home.
Ruth was a very dear and special friend to my mom (Barbara Spooner) and our family. Her warmth, kindness, generosity, strength of character and adventurous spirit always amazed and awed us. She was such a great friend for my mom and I to have, and she will be missed a lot. Condolences from our family to Ruth’s family, and may she rest in peace.
Our deepest sympathy to all of Ruth’s family and friends. She was a great friend to us. We so enjoyed her visits to us here in North Caroline. She was so much fun and always so thoughtful. We loved her so much. She was a wonderful Christian woman.
I am so sorry to hear about Ruth-she was a very good friend, great person, and giving individual. She will be tremendously missed by those who knew her. My prayers are with her family.
I will miss seeing Ruth and Audrey walking the neighborhood. It was always such a pleasure to stop and chat with them. You are home now Ruth!
It was my pleasure to know Ruth. We shared time together at Indian Rocks Baptist Church, Esther Connection Group. My sympathies to her family. Ruth is in the arms of our Savior.
Dear Ferguson’s , Today I saw about Ruth’s passing. I had no idea she was even ill. I am so sorry my heart and prayers go out to each and every one of you. I have always been so blessed to know ruth. She was an amazing woman. And I know how much she loved her family. It’s been a couple of years since I have seen her or spoken to her, but I always have fond memories of her gentle smile, and her willingness to help. Her love for Tim and Jeanette’s kids was palpable. She will be forever missed on this Earth but will rejoice with her again and heaven. Praise Jesus! You all are in my deepest thoughts and prayers tonight and will continue To be as you go through the next few weeks.
I’m very sorry to learn about Ruth. Our paths crossed for more than 20 years as we worked together at Eckerd Drug in both Orlando and Clearwater. Ruth was always able to make the work seem enjoyable, yet also able to ensure we were successful in achieving our goals. She was a dear friend and colleague and will be missed. Condolences to her family.
I have known Ruth for few years. My wife and I along with Paul and Christy travelled together and we visited her in Florida. What a gracious, friendly and lovely lady. We cherished her companionship especially during our two weeks trips to Costa RICO and New Mexico. We will miss her dearly.
Just heard about Ruth’s passing. I am so sorry to hear this.Ruth and I worked together at Pharmerica. She brought her delicious taco dips and cookies so many times to us. She’s the one person that I would share all the stories of my little kids. I I will always remember her enthusiasm and her positive spirit even when she was sick. I will miss her and I know she’s in a better place. Keeping all her loved ones especially her mom in prayers in this tough time. So so sad I can’t be there to take part in her service. Rest in peace with the Lord Ruth. We will meet again.
She was a pleasure to work with in my career. Pharmacy practice was better with her efforts and insight. She will truly be missed. I can still see her smile and hear her laugh.
I only learned of Ruth’s passing when I attended our 50th Anderson High School Reunion in Cincinnati Ohio this week (9/25/2021). Ruthie was a dear friend during our early years at Anderson. I had hoped to see her there and make amends for our loss of friendship many years ago. My condolences to her family and friends who are surely missing her still.