Betty E. Gilruth

Elizabeth “Betty” Gilruth, 95, passed away on July 20, 2025 at the Village of St. Edward in Fairlawn, OH. She was born on April 1, 1930 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late John and Catherine Eck. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Roger O. Gilruth, who passed away in 2012. She is survived by her sons Bruce (Beatriz) and Ian; granddaughters Jessica Gilruth, Alexandra Gilruth-Gunter (Kevin), Jillian Gilruth and her “beloved honorary daughter” Anne St. John-Kodish. She is remembered by numerous nieces and nephews as well as a family of neighbors and friends. In her years at St Edwards memory care she developed friendships with all the staff who to a person referred to her as the “Kindest resident” Thanks to all of the staff for the immense support they gave her

Betty lived a full and interesting life. After marriage she and her husband moved to Ohio. In the early 1950s, she relocated with her husband to a Goodyear rubber plantation on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia and lived there for eight years before returning to Ohio. She was a talented seamstress and made many of her own clothes. She was also a very highly regarded, self-taught cook who drew on her numerous life experiences to produce some memorable meals. Probably her highlight was undoubtedly a made from scratch, authentic Indonesian rijsttafel, an elaborate feast that featured as many as eight courses with even more condiments. Betty worked for the Akron Suicide Prevention Hotline and answered the calls that were routed to her while on duty. She was an avid reader with an eclectic taste in books who also volunteered at the Fairlawn Public Library,

Betty was quite proud of the fact that she was able to speak Luxembourgish a dialect of German. Both of Betty’s parents emigrated from Luxembourg and that was the language she spoke growing up. Many of the more colorful expressions were used whenever she was angry and she didn’t want to use the English equivalent. Betty had a keen sense of humor with a zany bent. She attributed that to the fact that she was born on April Fool’s Day. She celebrated her birthday at the “expense” of her friends and family, also known as the victims of her jokes and pranks. To be fair she thoroughly enjoyed jokes made at her own expense. She will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of life will be held at the Hampton Ridge Clubhouse at 12:00pm Sunday 8/17/2025 (929 Hampton Ridge Dr, Akron OH 44313). Arrangements entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home (330) 535-9186