Obituary of Ruth E. Adlam

Ruth E. Adlam (July 30,1923 - March 19, 2025) After a life well lived and dedicated to the Lord and her family, Ruth E. Adlam passed from this life on March 19, 2025 at the age of 101. She was preceded in death by her parents, Valentine and Mary May, her beloved husband, J. Kenneth, her 2 sons, Kenneth and Keith. She is survived by her son Kevin, her daughters Kris Shakarjian (husband Dan), Kathleen, Karen Baldwin (husband Douglas),9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ruth attended John Bartram High School and worked at Colonial Penn. At the age of 19, she was introduced to the dashing J. Kennneth Adlam by his sister. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage, and they settled in Willow Grove. During Ken's service in the Air Force, they lived in Florida and Texas before returning to Willow Grove. After Ken suffered a stroke, the family relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida, where Ruth lovingly took on the role of his nurse to aid in his recovery. In 1953, they purchased a property on Hilltop Road, which became Ruth's home until February of 2024. Ken wanted 12 children, but settled for 6. Ruth flourished as a mother, hostess, baker (well known for her banana cake with fudge icing), musician, ice skater, travel companion and mentor. Ken never knew who was coming to dinner or who was swimming in the family pool, or playing pool in the basement. Hilltop was the gathering place. There was always a party at the Adlams! Ruth made everyone feel welcome. The home was always open for the Church, missionaries, the skating crowd or any of the Adlam childrens' friends. Ruth's love for the Phillies was legendary. Her love for the game stemmed from one of the happiest moments of her childhood - the day her father took her to her first baseball game. Once Ruth was immersed in a Phillies game, nothing and no one could distract her, regardless of the time of day or night. Her love of God was her anchor throughout her entire life. Her faith was her rock through her 101 years. John 3:16-17 was her favorite Bible Verse. Although you could give her any letter of the alphabet and she could recite a Bible verse. She always remembered her lessons from Jenny Smith's Bible Classes. Ruth started ice skating at 43, skiing and golf at 60. She skated until she was 94, and at 95 she made a par at a golf course in Scottsdale, AZ. She still played the piano at 99, and at 101, she was still managing her rental property in Ocean City, New Jersey. She was a true patriot and always interested in politics. She was very proud of being a "Goldwater Girl". She loved to travel. Her favorite places included Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Egypt, Hawaii, Scottsdale, and of course, the Jersey Shore. Ruth always had a presence wherever she went. Her sense of style, radiant smile captured everyone she met. She belonged to a group at Wissahickon Skating Club called the "Golden Girls" and also at Sunrise Assisted Living where she spent her last 13 months. At Sunrise, she took great pride in her Bocce Ball Tournament trophy! Her passions in life were her faith in Jesus, her family, ice skating - especially ice dancing, the piano and organ and shopping. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved clothes and jewelry. She never left the house without dressing to the "nines" and multiple layers of jewelry. Her family misses her so much already, but she was ready to be with the Lord and the love of her life, Ken. And, as Ruth always reminded us, "it is what it is!" She was generous in life and also in death, as she has donated her earthly body to the University of Pennsylvania. A celebration of her life will be held at Glenside Bible Church, 447 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, PA on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with family visitation and light refreshments to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Donations may be made in her honor to Glenside Bible Church or Tunnel to Towers (T2T.org).