It is with deep sadness that her family announces the passing of Ruth Lehman née Anderson at the age of 97 May 9, 2022. Formerly a resident of Little Silver for 45 years, and Manchester, she recently resided in Oceanport with family.
Ruth was born in Fords and attended Woodbridge High School and Drake College. She married Bob Lehman in 1945. They built a home there but eventually moved to Little Silver in 1956.
Ruth was active in the Little Silver schools’ PTA and the Altar Rosary Society at Church of the Nativity where she attended daily Mass. She had many friends with whom she enjoyed going to the beach and playing bridge and golf. She could often be found with a good book or The New York Times crossword puzzle at Sandy Hook after the children left for school. She and Bob continued doing that after he retired as they were both avid readers and loved the ocean views.
Ruth lived a full and busy life. She enjoyed participating in and watching all sports from baseball (Babe Ruth) to tennis, golf and football. Although she rooted for the Boston Red Sox in baseball, Ruth loved football Sundays watching the New York Giants with family and friends. Known as “Nan” by just about everyone, she supported all of her grandchildren in their sports and was a fixture in the stands at soccer, baseball, football, basketball and lacrosse games.
Ruth and Bob together and separately spent many hours playing bridge and were quite good at it. They played with high school friends and friends and neighbors in Little Silver and Manchester. They particularly enjoyed duplicate bridge at Big Monmouth in the summer. Ruth also played AAUW bridge and had many great partners. Decks of cards and bridge tallies could be found all over. She couldn’t get any of her children to play bridge, but her grandchildren challenged her to many Spite and Malice marathons.
Most of all, though, Ruth loved golf. She played seven days a week (or so it seemed). She was a member of Beacon Hill Country Club, Jumping Brook Country Club and the Renaissance Ladies Golf Association, playing until she was 90. She represented her clubs as a member of the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association for years and traveled throughout the tristate area playing team matches and tournaments, many of which she organized. In fact, she never bought a car that couldn’t accommodate four sets of clubs in the trunk! Ruth was especially happy playing golf with members of the Women’s New Jersey Golf Association and proudly served as the group’s president from 1993 to 1994.
Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband, Bob; her parents, Albert V. and Kathryn Anderson; and her siblings and their spouses, Lois Miller (Roy), Donald Anderson (Jane) and Albert Anderson (Judy). She is survived by her children, Lois Striffler (Gene), Chris Lehman (Cathy) and Peter Lehman (Maureen). She also leaves seven wonderful grandchildren, Matt Striffler (Brigid), Mike Striffler, Brooke Lehman, Claire Patenaude (David), Melissa Lehman (Gloria Lozano), Christopher Lehman (Lauren) and Philip Lehman (fiancée Gina); eight great-grandchildren, Caleb, Jack, Molly, Maggie, Jack Robert, Colton, Sylvie and Lila; many nieces and nephews; and dear friend Joan Miller. The family is exceptionally grateful to Kelly O’Neil who lovingly and compassionately cared for “Ruthie” over the last few years.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 at the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven.
The article originally appeared in the January 12 – 18, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
