Ruth Breen Diestelhorst

Ruth Breen Diestelhorst passed away peacefully at her son Jack’s home August 27, 2015 at the age of 88. She was the daughter of the late Jack and Hilda Breen and a loving, faithful wife of 35 years to Fred Diestelhorst Jr., who preceded her in death 27 years ago as well as one sister, Gertrude (Trudie) Breen Sidey. Ruth was a devoted mother to her five sons, Jack (Alice), Fred, Eric (Joanie), Paul, and David Diestlehorst and her only daughter Jeanne Truitt, and her son-in-law, the late Kim Truitt. She was a doting grandmother to her ten grandchildren, Scott, Ryan, Tiffany, Julie, and Jill Diestelhorst, Judy Kotrous, Nikki Nichols, Amy Harllee, Robert Barber and Alicia Davis. Nothing made her smile more than her sixteen great-grandchildren Colin, Chase, and Ali Harllee, Ayrika Nason, Ethan Wortwick, Julie, Rebekah, and Noah Diestelhorst, Madison Davis, Addison, Anna Kate, and Robin Barber, Rylee and Alexia Kotrous, and Jonathan, Kimberly, and Maverick Nichols. Ruth is survived by so many who love her including her niece, Janice Prusack and great nephew, Matt Prusack. She was amiable and kind in all relations of life as a teacher, a neighbor and friend; and her family and the circles in which she moved, will long cherish the recollection of her many virtues. In 1952, after receiving her Master’s Degree from Columbia University in Speech Language Pathology, she moved to Coral Gables to start a teaching job. Her passion for children could be seen in every aspect of her life. While in Coral Gables, she became the president of the Coral Gables Music Club, something she reminisced about often. She wrote the song “This is My Florida” in 1964 while involved with this club and eventually had it copyrighted in 2007. Her love of music was always evident and this accomplishment made her very proud. Ruth remained in Dade County for 30 years before moving to Tallahassee where she resided for the rest of her days. Ruth loved to travel visiting Russia and Finland, Mexico, and the Caribbean and every state in the continental United States with her husband and children, as well as the family’s annual trip to her condo in Panama City Beach. She was an avid swimmer and always enjoyed the sport at every opportunity. Ruth was an enthusiastic and dedicated member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, and never faltered in her faith in God. She was always patient and brave, a beautiful example of Christian fortitude. She was ever calm and serene in her Christian Science faith, always willing to offer a prayer to anyone in need. Ruth will be remembered as a selfless, altruistic mother and grandmother who always had a smile even when times were tough. She had a quiet strength and always looked to God rather than complaining. Her six children marveled at her strength during her last few days. Through her faith, prayer work and her experience as a Speech Pathologist, she taught herself to speak again following a previous stroke. Visitation services will be held at Tuesday, September 1st, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bevis Funeral Home, North Monroe Street and the family invites you to join them in celebrating the life of this beautiful angel who God has peacefully taken home. In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to Big Bend Hospice, her church, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Tallahassee, or to the charity of your choice in her memory. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Ruth Breen Diestelhorst

February 18, 1927 - August 27, 2015