On the morning of June 16, 2023, our dear Ruth went to be with her Lord & Savior.
Ruth A. (Wittenberg) McGraw, 80, of Londonderry, NH, passed away Friday June 16, 2023, at her residence in Londonderry, NH. Ruth was born on March 31, 1943 in Shafter, CA, a daughter of the late Arnold and Evelyn (Ratzlaff) Wittenberg, and had been a resident of Londonderry for the past 26 years, formerly living in Bakersfield, CA.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 21 years, Gene McGraw of Londonderry; daughter, Deanna Missert and her husband, Thomas of Windham, NH; three grandchildren, Justin Missert and Brittany Sylvain of Manchester, NH., Kaley Missert of Napa, CA., and three brothers, Ken Wittenberg, Chuck Wittenberg, Arnold-Dean Wittenberg all of California.
Ruth was predeceased by her granddaughter, Devon Nicole Missert, and her sister Dora Bradford.
After graduating from Shafter High School in 1961, Ruth took several jobs, earned her degree from Cal State Bakersfield and went on settled into a position as a Bibliographical Librarian and Supervisor at the Beale Library in Bakersfield for over 20 years. She helped manage all 24 branches of the Kern County Public Library System.
Her plan was to work until Elvis Presley came and swept her off her feet. In the spring of 1997, her daughter Deanna, hired an Elvis impersonator to escort Ruth out of the library, to a limousine and into retirement. She was missed by her co-workers and Kern County had to hire 5 people to do the work she had done over the years. If Ruth was told a job could not be done, she would do it anyway.
Retirement allowed her to sell her home in Bakersfield, and move to Londonderry New Hampshire to become known and loved.. as Grandma Ruth. She spent the next 25 years showering love, joy and happiness on her family and their friends.
In 2002 fate brought Ruth back together with an amazing man, Cowboy and forever friend. She married her soul mate Gene McGraw. Together they spent the last 21 years filled with life, love, happiness, and crazy adventures.
Ruth had many hobbies that ranged from String Art to Diamond-Dots to playing computer games with her friends. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren and the friends they would bring to her home to visit. (And maybe get some of her famous alligator pancakes)
Grandma Ruth loved & was loved by everyone who took two minutes to get to know her. She had an immense heart and cared deeply for her family. She will be deeply missed but fondly and dearly remembered with Love by all those she touched in her journey.
From Gene, Thank you Ruth for giving me 21 years of happiness. I will love you always and forever.
Arrangements for Grandma Ruth’s Celebration of Life are set for Monday June 26, 2023 from 5pm to 7pm at the Peabody Funeral Home, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH 03053. Family and friends are welcome to stop by the Coach Stop Restaurant and Tavern at 176 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry after the celebration for light bites. In lieu of flowers, Ruth had asked that memorial donations be sent to The Devon Nicole House Foundation, PO Box 4206, Windham, NH 03087. (www.devonshouse.org)