Ruth Meehan Coleman passed peacefully on January 21, 2023 at the age of 97. Beloved daughter of William F. Meehan and Mary Pender Meehan, Ruth grew up in South Boston and attended Girls High School. In 1947 she met and fell in love with her husband-to-be, John Paul Coleman. In 1950 they moved to Abington to raise their family. They had four children: Maryruth Coleman (married to John Withers II), the late Jack Coleman, Nancy Coleman, and Cathleen Coleman-Fiumara (married to John N. Fiumara). Ruth is also survived by two grandchildren: Maria Coleman Champigny (married to Jared Champigny), and John C. Fiumara.
Ruth was the heartbeat of the Coleman family. Dynamic, compassionate and hardworking, she built a strong and loving home and inspired her children to pursue their dreams. She always said, “you can do it!” and “keep smiling!” Ruth loved travel, spending time by the ocean, and working in her beautiful yard and garden. As the song says, “to know her is to love her,” and we always will.
Family members will receive visitors at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home (2055 Centre St., West Roxbury) on Friday, January 27th at 11am followed by a Funeral Mass at the chapel of the Church of Saint Theresa of Avila (2028 Centre St.) at 12pm. Thereafter a burial service will take place at the Calvary Cemetery in Winchester.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).