Ruth Smith Tomlinson

Ruth E. Smith Tomlinson, 90

Troy - Ruth E. Smith Tomlinson, 90, of Burdett Avenue and formerly of Pinewoods Avenue died peacefully Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center after a long illness.

Born in Bridgeport, CT, she was daughter of the late Darwin Smith and Mable Hollaran Smith Nutting and wife for the past 67 years of Dr. David R. Tomlinson. She was the great granddaughter of Franklin Pierce, the 14^th President of the United States. She had resided in Troy for most of her life and was a graduate of Barrington School for Girls in Great Barrington, MA, Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, MA and New York Institute of Dietetics. Ruth met her soulmate, David, during her first job as Chief Dietician for the Brookhaven Hospital in Long Island.

She was a member of the Junior League of Troy, Van Rensselaer and Berkshire Garden Clubs, Country Club of Troy, Rensselaer County Historical Society, Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary, a communicant of St. John's Episcopal Church of Troy and an active volunteer at Vanderheyden Hall.

Together, Ruth and David cultivated exotic orchids. Her award winning floral designs were exhibited throughout the Northeast, most notably at the New York, Philadelphia and Boston Flower Shows.

Survivors in addition to her husband include four daughters, Faith Tomlinson, Chadds Ford, PA, Pamela T. (John) Ernest, Temple, ME, Lynn T. (late Dominic) Candella, Westwood, MA and Dale T. (late Jay) Ernest, Mifflintown, PA; eight grandchildren, Kim Beeson, Todd Johnson, Nichole, Tiffany and Heather Ernest, Ashley and David Candella and Rylan Bargo; five great grandchildren, Cali and Luke Beeson, Brody and Reed Johnson and Madeleine Jay Ernest-Rothart. She was predeceased by a brother, William Smith.

Ruth was a kind and compassionate person who touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Friday, from 4-7 PM.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 AM at St. John's Episcopal Church 146 First Street Troy with Rev. Stephen Schlossberg, Rector, officiating.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Ruth E. Tomlinson to the Alzheimer's Association of NENY Pine West Plaza, Bldg 4, Suite 405 Albany, NY 12205 or Vanderheyden Hall Memorial Fund PO Box 219 Wynantskill, NY 12198.

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