Ruth James - Obituary

uth Hazzard James, 90, of Annapolis, MD passed away peacefully at Ginger Cove on February 14, 2016, surrounded by her loved ones. She will be forever missed by her family and friends. Ruth's surviving family includes her four daughters Nancy Steel of Vashon, WA, Barbara (Mike) Polak of Huntingtown, MD, Martha Marmouze of Springville, IN and Sarah Steel of Seattle, WA along with two stepsons, David (Judy) James of Locust Valley, NY and William James of Port Washington, NY. She also had nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, who she deeply loved. Ruth was born March 24, 1925 to Edmund G. Hazzard and Emma A. Bean and grew up in East Rochester, NY with her brother, George Hazzard, and sister, Virginia Hazzard. She attended St Lawrence University where she was affiliated with TriDelta Sorority, but when she took a trip with friends she fell in love with New York City. Shortly after that trip, she enrolled at Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She went on to get a Master’s Degree in Nursing from Adelphi University. With her love of nursing, she worked at various health care institutions including the American Red Cross, Long Island Jewish and Sloan Kettering Hospitals along with several years of volunteer service to Hospice of the Chesapeake. Ruth was married to Reginald Steel for 26 years and later was married David James for 37 years, both of whom preceded her in death. David and Ruth had a love for the sea and to honor that they moved aboard a 47 foot sailboat and sailed up and down the East Coast, venturing from Maine to North Carolina. Along the way they gained both canine and feline companions who loved the sea as much as them and provided lots of amusing stories. After years of sailing, they decided to settle down in Annapolis and call it home. Ruth's sense of adventure was not limited to the sea, as they traveled to Africa, New Zealand, the Polynesian Islands, Scandinavia, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Ruth knew how to make the most of every moment. Her love for people, sense of optimism, curiosity for adventure and a fun sense of humor will not be forgotten. She had an uncanny ability to complete even the toughest crossword puzzles “in ink”. At her request, there will be no memorial service. Donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122. To leave an online condolence, please click here.