Ruth Page

Passed away Thursday, October 25, 2018 at age 92 after an extended illness. Ruth was born October 14, 1926 in Kalamazoo to Herman and Minnie Vander Kolk. She was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School in 1944. She was employed by Kalamazoo Public Schools as an administrative secretary for 31 years. She was a church organist for many years and enjoyed sacred and classical music. She and her husband, Phil, lived in Portage, MI and enjoyed spending winters in Gulf Shores in Alabama for 25 years. They moved to Grayson, Georgia in 2010 to be near their immediate family. They were avid sports fans and enjoyed attending and volunteering for local youth league events, watching a wide range of college and professional sports, and attending the Masters. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Philip, originally of Alanson, MI; her parents, sister Dorothy Van Sweden and husband John; brother Adrian and wife Louise, and granddaughter Heather Jilleen Page. She is survived by her son, Douglas and wife Deb; grandson Drew and great granddaughter Heather; granddaughter Erin Wagner and husband Jake, and great grandson, Cole; sister-in-law Marilyn Wilde, several nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Her family was the joy of her life. She also leaves many special friends. A celebration of the lives of both Ruth and Phil is planned for the summer of 2019. Ruth was loved by all who knew her, including the team of nurses and aids who assisted her during the last years of her life, and appreciated her kind and loving spirit. She happily celebrated her 92nd birthday in the garden of her nursing home with family members just a few days before her passing.