Ruth Laidley Eckert (Gwynne) Dullien

Ruth Laidley (Gwynne) Eckert Dullien, 82, of Ithaca, New York, and Vermilion, Ohio, passed into the arms of her loving Savior Jesus Christ on March 3, 2014.

Ruth was born June 29, 1931 in Windber, Pennsylvania, to the late Dr. J. Harold
(d. 1996) and Jeannette (Baer) Gwynne (d. 1977). She was born and raised in Martin's Ferry, Ohio. She also lived in Wilmington, Delaware; and Lafayette, Indiana, and Waterloo, Ontario before moving to Ithaca in 1993. She attended the College of Wooster and graduated from the University of Delaware. As a teacher of Latin and French, she received a Master's degree from Purdue University (1976), and her interest in language continued throughout her life. Ruth was an avid fan of opera, art, reading, and tennis.

Ruth loved her family and friends and was a dear, faithful, friend to many through countless hours of listening and sharing her wisdom. Most of all she loved her Lord Jesus Christ and her strength and service was a testimony to him.

Ruth was active her entire life in the Presbyterian church, and her father was a Presbyterian pastor and Christian author. More recently, Ruth found a new church home at Christ Chapel. After retiring from teaching, Ruth was an office assistant at Northwood Complex in Ithaca from 1993 to 2012. Her family was of utmost value to her. The home of her heart since 1943 has been at Linwood Park in Vermilion, a haven and meeting place for the entire family.

She is survived by three loving children, Roger Eckert of San Jose, California, Robyn (J.D.) Zeeman of Shorewood, Illinois, and Rhonda (Barth) Mapes of Ithaca; eight grandchildren (Gwynne, Rebecca, Anna and Meghan Mapes; Rachel, Claire, Jake and Matt Zeeman); her brothers, Jack Gwynne, Jr., of Tega Cay, South Carolina, and James C. Gwynne, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, March 8, at Christ Chapel, 160 Graham Rd in Ithaca, followed by a service of remembrance and celebration at 3:00. Internment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Vermilion, close to her beloved Linwood Park, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's memory may be made to the Ithaca Pregnancy Center, 210 W. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Bangs Funeral Home is assisting the family.