A Wonderful Woman and Dear Friend
Her life story is filled with wonderful achievements, faith, tragedies and blessing. She earned a Ph.D in geography in 1971 and served as President of Rodgers College at Maryknoll as well as in Congregational Leadership.
At the age of 54 she finally went overseas to Juba, Sudan to establish a catechetical training center. After 17 years of ministry in education she was expelled by the Sudan government in 1992, along with all expatriates, because of the civil war.
This was how I had the good fortune to come to know her. She came to the SPLA rebel held Diocese of Torit in 1993 while I was working in Nimule, Sudan on the border with Uganda. She became the Financial Controller of the Diocese and was essential in managing our finances from Nairobi, Kenya. Bandits once stormed her Nairobi office and held a gun to her head, demanding money. She gave them everything in her purse when they threatened to kill her. There was nothing else to give them. Ruth told me later that, despite all the dangerous situations she faced, she knew she wouldn't die a violent death. This was a woman very close to God.
Amidst the numerous accolades that fill her life story I would like to add my personal experience. Ruth was a strong, hard working and very competent professional. She did things properly and she taught others how to work with dignity and honesty. In one incidence of theft from the medical funds, which I had to account for, she helped the Kenyan staff to manage the problem properly and the money was eventually returned.
I was working on the front line of the war in isolated places. She often wrote me short notes of concern and encouragement which meant the world to me. When I went to Nairobi she was always fun to be with and we are celebrating her birthday in the picture above. She also made time to listen to me and ask questions about how things were going wherever I was working. She knew the people and difficulties that I was up against. Her encouragement and sound advice was a tremendous source of comfort and help to me.
There are times when I have disagreed with our Catholic church and the rules and regulations that are pronounced. But I am eternally grateful for people like Ruth who personified the love and mercy of Jesus in the way they lived their lives and served others. Her faith enriched my own. She will always be a beacon of light for me in this world, especially now as Sudan is violently torn apart by military men vying for power with no regard for civilians. The Sudanese don't deserve this. They deserve leaders like Sr. Ruth. May she rejoice with God and intercede for peace in Sudan.
