Anne Knight Ruff passes after long illness; memorial service Saturday, April 6, 2pm

Bay_Ruff_art_02
Anne Knight Ruff, c. 2001
Elsie Waters points to their grandfather Charles Wright's home as her cousin, Bay Ruff, depicted it on this panorama view of Riverton's Bank Avenue.
Elsie Waters points to their grandfather Charles Wright’s home as her cousin, Bay Ruff, depicted it on this panorama view of Riverton’s Bank Avenue.

We were saddened to hear that after a long illness Anne Knight Ruff (known by all as “Bay”) passed away on March 19 at the age of 92.

Her cousin, Elsie Showell Waters, extends an invitation to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at Westfield Friends Meeting, 2201 Riverton Road at Route 130, in Cinnaminson, NJ 08077.

Westfield Friends School Headmaster, Mr. William Probsting reports that friends and family who have been the recipients of many of Ms. Ruff’s works of art may bring them to display during the service.

Much  of Bay's art is executed in found or recycled materials. Can you tell of what these members of a   Quaker meeting are made?
Much of Bay’s art is executed in found or recycled materials. Can you tell of what these members of a Quaker meeting are made?

Regular visitors here have already seen one example; our masthead banner is a photo of one of Bay’s marvelous folk art style paintings on wood; this one, I believe she salvaged from a door.

This links to our page in which we acknowledge Ms. Ruff’s generosity for allowing us the use of her art to welcome readers to our website.

William Probsting wrote the marvelous profile of Anne Knight Ruff that appeared in the 2002 Riverton July Fourth Program when the town honored her as the Parade Marshal.

At age 81, she authored a book of stories about growing up in Riverton that grew out of the weekly gatherings of the Friday Ladies, a group she was invited to join.

Friday Ladies -Toby, Norma, Bay, Ruth, June, Nell, Elsie, Betty
Friday Ladies -Toby, Norma, Bay, Ruth, June, Nell, Elsie, Betty

Read more details about Anne Knight Ruff’s life and how the book came to be in this 2002 New York Times interview by Jill P. Capuzzo: “IN PERSON; A Born Storyteller, She Took Her Time”

We invite comments and the submission of photographs of anything pertinent to Bay’s life, writing, and art, and many other interests. Contact us if you need assistance. – John McCormick, Gaslight News editor

 

Published by

John McCormick

Teacher at Riverton School 1974-2019, author, amateur historian, Historical Society of Riverton Board Member 2007-2023, newsletter editor 2007-2023, website editor 2011-2023

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