Ruth Catherine (nee: Gabriel) Ecker, entered into eternal rest, on Tuesday morning, December 24, 2019, at her home, surrounded by family. She was the 2 ^nd of 10 children born to Aloysius and Victoria Wolf Gabriel on August 21, 1924.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 43 years, Eugene Joseph Ecker (1991), her parents, her siblings; Helen (Sister Mary Carol Gabriel, O.P.) Therese Stanley, Rita Joan and "baby boy and her daughter-in-law, Janet E.B. Ecker.

Ruth is survived by her 6 children: Robert (& Anita) of Port, St. Lucie FL, Christopher (& Connie) of Peoria, AZ, David ( & his fiancée, Bunny Egerton) of New Market, MD; Joan E. Fuchs ( & Michael) of Aurora, IL, Matthew ( & Lynn) Hastings, NY and Eileen E. Castillo ( & Manuel) of Fords. She was a grandmother to 18 and a great grandmother to 26. Also surviving are her siblings; brother Aloysius, sisters, Mildred (Sister Mary Victoria Gabriel, O.P.) Carolyn (& John) Harkins; Clare ( & Walter) Shorak and many, many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was born and raised in Glendale, NY. Soon after her marriage to her beloved husband Gene, (September 11, 1948) they raised their six children in North Merrick, NY. They resided there until they retired and moved to Pocono Lake in 1990. Unfortunately, Gene passed away a few short months later. Ruth continued to live in the Poconos for the next 24 years, leading an active and involved life with her church and community. She was a daily communicant at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, and active within parish groups such as "the Crafty Ladies". She was an avid reader, loved her "old time" movies, watching "Monk" dvd's, traveling, cruises with her children and friends, European and Island adventures with family, friends and neighbors.

Her first job was as a secretary in 1943. She liked to make use of her training from Bishop Mc Donnell High School, especially her shorthand. However, her working career was put on hold, when in July 1949, she started a new career "motherhood". And so it was, for the next 23 years, the chief, cook and bottle washer of the Ecker household.

She returned to work: at first, as a substitute secretary in the North Merrick School District, then she subsequently gained employment with the North Bellmore School District from which she retired in 1988.

One job she didn't retire from was care giving. Many of her grandchildren were the recipients of "Grandma Ruth's" spoiling treats. She was always interested in their lives and adventures. She was so very proud of everyone and felt proud that she helped create it all.

In 2014 another move lay ahead, this time to live with Matt and Lynn. She loved her time with them and her new best friend "Bella" (the Puppy).

In 2017 Ruth made her final move to Edison, NJ. There she lived in an assisted living facility and spent quality time with her family from all around, visiting regularly.

While she has had many new and wonderful moments over the last 28 years, she has finally made the move she has most longed for, back in the loving arms of her beloved husband.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 27, 2019 from 4 pm to 8 pm, at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave. Fords, NJ 08863. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, December 28, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. from the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, followed by a 9 a.m. Funeral Liturgy at Our Lady of Peace RC Church in Fords, interment will take place on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 12:30 pm at the Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY.