Kotler, Ruth H. (Hogan)
On November 5, 2011, my role in life changed from wife and mother to guardian angel. I left this world peacefully, in the comfort and warmth of my own bed, surrounded by the love and tender touch of my husband, David, and my children, Nathan and Hannah. I had fought an initial diagnosis of breast cancer in 2001 and had been doing quite well until 2009 when the cancer returned and spread. As my daughter Hannah will tell you, I was determined to "kick the crap" out of my disease, which I did for over two years. I was born in Boston on January 27, 1964 and grew up in Needham, MA, the 8th of 10 children. In Needham, I attended St. Joseph's Elementary School, Pollard Junior High School, & Needham High School. I loved sports and played field hockey, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, swimming, and ran track. I loved the beach, and my favorite childhood memories were spending the summers at Grammy Shea's house at Popponesset Beach, Cape Cod, where I developed an unbreakable bond with her. I attended Stonehill College and graduated with a BA in Biology. I then attended the Yale University Physician Associate Program, graduating with honors, and became a Physician Assistant. Upon graduation I began my career on the staff of New Britain General Hospital as a Neurosurgical Physician Assistant, followed by a private practice setting for the next 10 years. After a brief leave of absence during my initial diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, I joined the staff of UCONN Medical Center, working with the Chief of Neurosurgery, Hilary Onyiuke, MD, where I remained for the duration of my professional life. I loved my career as a Neurosurgical Physician Assistant and took great pride in taking care of my patients. Although my career was extremely important to me, my family always came first. It was during my training at Yale that I met my future husband, David. Initially I ignored his requests for a date, but he found my weak spot; Bruce Springsteen. With "impossible to get tickets" to a concert at Madison Square Garden, and a white stretch limousine to get there, I knew this was the man to marry. We married on April 21, 1990 and made our home in Avon, CT. As inscribed in our wedding bands, he became "My Soul, My Love, My Life". Together we raised two beautiful children, Nathan (age 15) and Hannah (age 13), who became the center of my universe. Nothing gave me greater joy than to be on the sidelines, cheering them on during their sporting events, and nothing gave me greater pride than hearing from their teachers what good students they are. You are both "always on my mind and forever in my heart." Besides David, Nathan & Hannah, I leave my parents, Hon. William T. and Dorothea Hogan, Jr., siblings Hon. Mary Elizabeth Sullivan and husband Jeremiah; William T. Hogan III and wife Susan; Patricia Henry and husband Michael; Joan Hayden and husband Peter; Brenda Shisslak; Margaret Nellson and husband Thomas; Michael Hogan and wife Elizabeth; Daniel Hogan and wife Denise; Jennifer Guinee and husband Patrick; in-laws Alvin & Josephine Kotler; sisters-in-law Leah (Kotler) Bell and husband Robert; and Elaine Kotler, and 30 nieces and nephews, as well as countless friends and co-workers.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The Kotler College Fund; c/o Simsbury Bank, 27 Dale Road, PO Box 819, Avon, CT 06001.
A gathering of family and friends will take place Saturday, November 12, 10:30 a.m.-12 at the Carmon Funeral Home, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, CT.
Immediately following will be a ceremony to celebrate Ruth's life, then a procession to Simsbury Cemetery, 19 Plank Hill Drive, Simsbury, CT.