RUTH L. PETTINGER

Ruth Leaser Pettinger, 76, was called home to God on March 12, 2024.

Born on October 31, 1947, Ruth was the daughter of the late Mary Kilgallon and Frederick Leaser. Her husband James G. Pettinger, preceded her in death.

Ruth was a quiet woman of great strength, humility, love, and compassion. She graduated from Hanover Township High School in 1965 and the Hackensack School of Nursing in 1968. After graduation Ruth entered the US Army and was stationed at Walter Reed Medical Center. She later volunteered to go to VietNam. Ruth was a member of the 25th Infantry Division Surgical Unit stationed at Tay Ninh from 1968-1970. During her military service Ruth received a Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, VietNam Service Medal, and VietNam Campaign Medal. She held her time and all she encountered in VietNam in her heart.

Ruth worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a Community Health Nurse. She was a Community Health Nurse Coordinator at the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Administration Hospital until her retirement in 2012. Whether caring for battle injured soldiers, administering Swine Flu injections, working the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, or coordinating home health and nursing home services for Veterans, Ruth met everyone in the present moment with clinical expertise and tenderness.

Ruth offered comfort, support and perspective to family, friends, professional colleagues, and patients her entire life. With her late husband Jim, she created a home that became the central gathering place for family. Time together, time at table, time in deep conversation now form the cherished memories her family carries to keep her memory and spirit with them.

She is survived by her sisters, Rosemary (Edward) Lenahan, Mary Pachick  (late Daniel Pachick Sr.), Jane Reddington, her nephews, Shawn (Jill) Lenahan, Ryan Zych (late Catherine Zych), Daniel (Laurie) Patchik, Jr. and nieces, Amanda Ondek, and Makayla Reddington. Ruth is also survived by her sisters in law, Mary Kay Pettinger and Anne (Joseph Hamer, Jr.) Pittinger and nephew Joseph (Ashley) Hamer, III. She is also survived by many great nephews and nieces.

Over the course of her life, Ruth had a very special motherly bond with her nephew, Ryan. She was a prominent figure in Ryan's life and was a constant beacon of strength and guidance for him. Whether it was during Ryan's upbringing or her illness, their unconditional love for each other was seen and admired by all. Her presence in his life will be forever cherished.

A Blessing service will be conducted on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 10:00 am from the Lehman Family Funeral Service, Inc. 689 Hazle Ave. Wilkes-Barre, with Deacon Joe Chimola officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township with Military Honors.

Friends are invited to join the family from 9:00 am until time of service at the funeral home.

The family extends their gratitude to the staff at Smith Health Care and Dr. Michael Sisti, Columbia University, for the care and respect Ruth received on her journey.

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