Ruth Miller Ellinghaus, 97, former Amherst resident, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2022.

She was born Ruth Travers Kelly in Camden, NJ on April 7, 1924. She graduated from Forest Park High School in Baltimore, MD where she formed lasting friendships and created fond lifelong memories. She also graduated from Southern Seminary College in Buena Vista, VA.

In 1945 she married Earl A. Miller a former Sanders Associates engineer. They resided in Virginia, Illinois, Ohio and Amherst, NH and raised five children. They retired in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Lexington, VA.

Ruth, a real charmer, was a baseball, speedskating, and hockey mom. She loved spending summers in Ocean City, NJ, floating on her surfboard on Baboosic Lake, and her pool in Virginia. She also volunteered for various causes throughout her life.

She will be remembered for her love for her children, her warm and generous heart and her gift of gab.

She was predeceased by her husband Earl of 46 years, her partner of 15 years Lewis (Bud) Ford of Lexington, VA and her husband of 12 years William M Ellinghaus of Bronxville, NY, who recently died at 99. She was also predeceased by her dear sister Mary Jane (“Kelly”) Paxton of the Baltimore area, her sons Frank (Doug) Miller and Earl Jr. (Sandy) Miller.

Family members include daughters Bobby Goodspeed (George) of Gardnerville, NV, Gayle Nevins (Robert) of Crested Butte, CO, and son Kelly Miller of Buena Vista, VA. Grandchildren include Mena Dedmon (Adam) and Rebecca Goodspeed of Minden, NV, Amanda Miller of Newberg, OR and Travis Miller of Collierstown, VA. She had five great grandchildren.

She is also survived by Guy and Barcy (“Boo”) Ford of Columbus, OH, eight adult Ellinghaus children and four adult Paxton children.