Ruth "Ruthie" Daniel Armilla
July 10, 1940 ~ November 14, 2016
Ruth “Ruthie” D. Armilla
The family of Ruth Armilla is saddened to announce her passing November 14, 2016 at Alden hospice center in Virginia after a valiant battle with colon cancer. A native of St. Thomas, Ruth spent 37 years in Vienna, Virginia with her beloved husband, Jose G. Armilla, of 55 years of marriage. She was an amazing mother to Arlene and Alex, devoted grandmother to Shane and Luke and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by Jose, last April 2016 with an untimely heart attack. She is also survived by siblings, Dorothy David, Shirley Richardson, Carol Faust, and Kent Daniel; son-in-law, Patrick J. Campbell (Charlottesville, VA) and sister-in-law Carmen Lavender and her family of Thousand Oaks, CA.
In July of 1940 in Charlotte Amalie, Luella and Cecil welcomed their third of four eventual daughters, Ruth Cecile Daniel. Ruth grew up in Charlotte Amalie, attended Abraham Lincoln School and graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1959. She attended college in San German, Puerto Rico at Inter-American University with interests in Psychology and Sociology. At university, Ruth met and married Jose in 1961 where she accompanied him for life’s adventures and travel in academia and the U.S. Foreign Service.
It is amazing to see how God wove the lives and story of the cross-cultural union between Ruth and Jose, two islanders from the Caribbean and Philippines, and blessed my brother Alex and me with their legacy, enduring love for one another and island heritage. A poignant reminder awaits when you visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC., at the Pacific Theater, where you’ll find the columns and wreaths for the Philippines and Virgin Islands side by side.
Ruth embraced her role as a spouse devoted to Jose and her children, following the rhythms of their overseas assignments and travels, showcasing her flair for fashion, interior design, hospitality and new friendships. From Puerto Rico, academia took the newlyweds to Thiel College in Pennsylvania where their daughter was born as well as a lifetime relationship with Arlene’s godparents. In 1966, academia then took the family to Alexandria where son, Alex, was born and Jose also became a naturalized citizen. The family later moved to Thailand. Jose’s first overseas assignment marked the beginning of the couples’ enduring friendships with the beautiful Thai people. Thailand also initiated Ruth’s appreciation and affinity for Asian décor, art, porcelain and textiles which she and Jose acquired with discerning eyes.
Ruth considered her role as a wife supreme, and the second in importance was as a mother. She had many interests and passions in her life as well as talents and gifts. As a homemaker, Ruth made every place the family lived abroad and in Virginia a home and haven. Her life then settled in Arlington, Virginia as Jose worked at USIA in DC. Virginia became “home base” where Jose’s 26-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service led them to reside in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Chile make travel memories in Singapore, Europe and South America. In her homes, Ruth liked to entertain friends and family as well as garden and landscape using her artistic and creative talent.
Another outlet for Ruth’s creativity and talent was as an accomplished seamstress and natural interior designer. Other passions included government and politics. She volunteered and worked at the polls throughout her life. Ruth took her civic duty very seriously and voted curbside in her daughter’s car prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Despite living abroad and extensive travel, she was quite proud to be from St. Thomas of Caribbean descent. She also loved Carnival and enjoyed her last one in 2012 with Jose. Ruth loved her native island cuisine and she was a gourmet cook. Her Thanksgiving Caribbean-style stuffing was AWESOME which she learned from her mother. She always brought extra when she visited her grandchildren and daughter for Thanksgiving – a labor of love and a treat.
Throughout Ruth’s life, Frederik Immanuel Lutheran Church was her home church and became a touchpoint in our lives as our family would return on home leave from overseas to spend Christmas with Grandma Luella and Uncle Kent. Ruth was true to her namesake in the Old Testament as she was devoted to her mother, Luella, and only brother Kent.
Ruth had a spirit of contentment and as a homebody enjoyed her Virginia home for its proximity to Washington DC, Tysons Corner, Dulles Airport, and her daughter and family. After Jose retired, they enjoyed being grandparents and travelling to California and South Carolina to spoil their grandsons. Together as a couple, they had special trips to Acapulco, Mexico City, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Ruth’s faith as a Lutheran remained strong till the end as she trusted in the Lord through her cancer journey. Her oncologist, staff and team at Virginia Cancer Specialists were her second family. When treatment was no longer effective, Ruth spent about a month with home hospice care and her decline was gradual. On the evening of 14 November after time with family and the priest in the hospice crisis center, she went peacefully to be with the Lord.
Ruth was cremated and a memorial service held in Vienna, VA on 19 November 2016. Friends and family attended and were blessed with a beautiful musical eulogy on the guitar by her son, Alex. Father Joe Nangle, OFM, who seven months earlier, graced us in Jose’s memorial service, delivered a spectacular homily highlighting how Ruth’s life glorified our Lord.
Rest in Peace beloved Ruth: our Proverbs 31 woman; a life of love, beauty, elegance and faith. You inspired, touched and mentored many.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tax-deductible donations be made in Ruth D. Armilla’s name to the Cancer Research Institute http://www.cancerresearch.org/
The family of Ruth Armilla is saddened to announce her passing November 14, 2016 at Alden hospice center in Virginia after a valiant battle with colon cancer. A native of St. Thomas, Ruth spent 37 years in Vienna, Virginia with her beloved husband, Jose G. Armilla, of 55 years of marriage. She was an amazing mother to Arlene and Alex, devoted grandmother to Shane and Luke and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by Jose, last April 2016 with an untimely heart attack. She is also survived by siblings, Dorothy David, Shirley Richardson, Carol Faust, and Kent Daniel; son-in-law, Patrick J. Campbell (Charlottesville, VA) and sister-in-law Carmen Lavender and her family of Thousand Oaks, CA.
In July of 1940 in Charlotte Amalie, Luella and Cecil welcomed their third of four eventual daughters, Ruth Cecile Daniel. Ruth grew up in Charlotte Amalie, attended Abraham Lincoln School and graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1959. She attended college in San German, Puerto Rico at Inter-American University with interests in Psychology and Sociology. At university, Ruth met and married Jose in 1961 where she accompanied him for life’s adventures and travel in academia and the U.S. Foreign Service.
It is amazing to see how God wove the lives and story of the cross-cultural union between Ruth and Jose, two islanders from the Caribbean and Philippines, and blessed my brother Alex and me with their legacy, enduring love for one another and island heritage. A poignant reminder awaits when you visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC., at the Pacific Theater, where you’ll find the columns and wreaths for the Philippines and Virgin Islands side by side.
Ruth embraced her role as a spouse devoted to Jose and her children, following the rhythms of their overseas assignments and travels, showcasing her flair for fashion, interior design, hospitality and new friendships. From Puerto Rico, academia took the newlyweds to Thiel College in Pennsylvania where their daughter was born as well as a lifetime relationship with Arlene’s godparents. In 1966, academia then took the family to Alexandria where son, Alex, was born and Jose also became a naturalized citizen. The family later moved to Thailand. Jose’s first overseas assignment marked the beginning of the couples’ enduring friendships with the beautiful Thai people. Thailand also initiated Ruth’s appreciation and affinity for Asian décor, art, porcelain and textiles which she and Jose acquired with discerning eyes.
Ruth considered her role as a wife supreme, and the second in importance was as a mother. She had many interests and passions in her life as well as talents and gifts. As a homemaker, Ruth made every place the family lived abroad and in Virginia a home and haven. Her life then settled in Arlington, Virginia as Jose worked at USIA in DC. Virginia became “home base” where Jose’s 26-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service led them to reside in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Chile make travel memories in Singapore, Europe and South America. In her homes, Ruth liked to entertain friends and family as well as garden and landscape using her artistic and creative talent.
Another outlet for Ruth’s creativity and talent was as an accomplished seamstress and natural interior designer. Other passions included government and politics. She volunteered and worked at the polls throughout her life. Ruth took her civic duty very seriously and voted curbside in her daughter’s car prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Despite living abroad and extensive travel, she was quite proud to be from St. Thomas of Caribbean descent. She also loved Carnival and enjoyed her last one in 2012 with Jose. Ruth loved her native island cuisine and she was a gourmet cook. Her Thanksgiving Caribbean-style stuffing was AWESOME which she learned from her mother. She always brought extra when she visited her grandchildren and daughter for Thanksgiving – a labor of love and a treat.
Throughout Ruth’s life, Frederik Immanuel Lutheran Church was her home church and became a touchpoint in our lives as our family would return on home leave from overseas to spend Christmas with Grandma Luella and Uncle Kent. Ruth was true to her namesake in the Old Testament as she was devoted to her mother, Luella, and only brother Kent.
Ruth had a spirit of contentment and as a homebody enjoyed her Virginia home for its proximity to Washington DC, Tysons Corner, Dulles Airport, and her daughter and family. After Jose retired, they enjoyed being grandparents and travelling to California and South Carolina to spoil their grandsons. Together as a couple, they had special trips to Acapulco, Mexico City, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Ruth’s faith as a Lutheran remained strong till the end as she trusted in the Lord through her cancer journey. Her oncologist, staff and team at Virginia Cancer Specialists were her second family. When treatment was no longer effective, Ruth spent about a month with home hospice care and her decline was gradual. On the evening of 14 November after time with family and the priest in the hospice crisis center, she went peacefully to be with the Lord.
Ruth was cremated and a memorial service held in Vienna, VA on 19 November 2016. Friends and family attended and were blessed with a beautiful musical eulogy on the guitar by her son, Alex. Father Joe Nangle, OFM, who seven months earlier, graced us in Jose’s memorial service, delivered a spectacular homily highlighting how Ruth’s life glorified our Lord.
Rest in Peace beloved Ruth: our Proverbs 31 woman; a life of love, beauty, elegance and faith. You inspired, touched and mentored many.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tax-deductible donations be made in Ruth D. Armilla’s name to the Cancer Research Institute http://www.cancerresearch.org/
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