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Leona “Ruth” White

Leona “Ruth” White, 92, of Madison went to be with the Lord Nov. 14, 2023, following a lengthy illness. She was born at home in Mishawaka, Indiana, on July 7, 1931. She was the oldest of eight children and the only girl born to Violet Maxson and Louis Stroup.

Ruth was a devoted wife and mother who was described by many in her circle of family and friends often and foremost as a lady. She was kind, caring, and always ready to offer help in any way that she could. She loved her family and always wanted the best for those in her life.

Ruth was age 11 when she lost her mother, Violet, who passed away following the birth of her fifth child. Ruth and her younger brothers were raised by family until her father remarried several years later.

The family were involved members of the Second Brethren Church in South Bend, Indiana, and Ruth credits her lifelong strong faith foundation to time spent at Camp Mack, a Christian camp. She worked during high school at the soda fountain of a local drug store and later as a clerk in S.S. Kresge 5 and 10 and graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1949. Following high school, she went to work for the Singer Manufacturing Company, eventually being promoted to secretary to the company president.

In 1952, Ruth had the opportunity to work for the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. Ruth was initially assigned to the passport office and awarded “top secret” clearance essential to her confidential role as a liaison to other agencies, namely the FBI and CIA.

In 1954, she transferred to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as an administrative assistant, assisting foreign nationals applying to the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship Program. In addition to her role placing exchange students and faculty into university-level programs throughout the U.S., Ruth was honored to serve as a team member for President Eisenhower’s White House Conference on Education during her tenure. Another highlight was the invitation her church choir received to sing at the 1952 Billy Graham Washington D.C. crusade.

The highlight and turning point in Ruth’s life came when she met Jerry White, a student at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Ruth and Jerry knew they were meant to be. After Jerry’s graduation in 1957, they were married and moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Jerry accepted his first corporate position and had their first child; Christian was born in 1959. Ruth was busy as a wife and mother, while Jerry completed his law degree.

Life and career took the family to Greenwich where Laurence was born, and Ruth and Jerry were active members of the First Congregational Church of Greenwich for many decades. Ruth served in several positions and, in 1981, she was honored to become the second female senior deacon in the church’s 316-year history. Ruth also enjoyed traveling with Jerry and they visited Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. She was an avid golfer and while they were members at the Innis Arden Golf Club in Old Greenwich, she was awarded a plaque for her hole-in-one shot, an accomplishment of which she was very proud.

Never one to slow down, Ruth went on to work for many years in a position she loved as the administrative assistant for the design firm of Priess Breismeister Architects in Stamford. She found herself also as Jerry’s “at-home secretary,” supporting his consulting firm, and the two could often be found together revising proposals and letters to clients. Ruth was detailed and organized, and she ran her home and office with great pride and efficiency.

Ruth and Jerry lived in the Greenwich area until their retirement in 2009 when they moved to Madison. They loved the Connecticut shoreline and were blessed to be part of a wonderful church, the First Congregational Church of Madison, where they had many dear friends and memories.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 66 years Jerry White, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2023. They were devoted to each other, and the family is grateful they are united once again.

Ruth is survived by her two sons, Christian, and his wife, Melinda of Freeport, Maine, and adored granddaughter Devon White Miatke and husband Baxter of Portland, Maine; and Laurence of Middletown; four brothers, Dan Stroup (Susie) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Dale Stroup (Marcia) of Huntington Beach, California; William Stroup of Lakeville, Indiana; John Stroup of South Bend Indiana; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Don, Richard, Darrell, and James.