Ruth Arnold Gundlach, a longtime resident of Wallingford and more recently of Riddle Village, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026 at 100 years of age.  Ruth was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Born in Lewistown PA, Ruth was the daughter of the late Leonce and Grace (nee Arnold) Shields.  She spent her formative years in Reedsville PA where she graduated from Reedsville High School before attending Penn State University and a war-time certificate program at Bryn Mawr College, graduating from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons with a BS.  Ruth enjoyed a long career as an obstetrical nurse and grief counselor with various hospital systems throughout the country.

She and her husband, John, raised their children in New York City, Baltimore, Denver, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh before settling in Torrance CA

Ruth was a life-long avid gardener and an accomplished decorative painter.  She moved to the East Coast in her retirement years and was very active in Brandywine Decorative Painters and the Associates of Scott Arboretum.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 39 years, John T. Gundlach, and her son-in-law, Ronald Miller.  She is survived by her children Carol R. Schneider (Christian) of Media PA, Joan Miller of Hayward CA, John Gundlach of Los Angeles CA, and Claudia Gundlach (Larry Peterson) of Minnetonka MN.  She is also survived by grandchildren Jonathan Norwood, Sonja Peterson, Nicholas Miller, and Cecilia Miller and great-grandchildren Locksley Norwood and Sofia Miller.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Scott Arboretum in Swarthmore PA.

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Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
www.haganfuneralhome.com