Ruth Allin Hothersall passed away at the age of 90 on April 22nd, 2026 at home in Basking Ridge surrounded by her loving family.

Ruth was born on January 1st, 1936 at home to George and Mildred Allin in Lynnbrook, Long Island where she grew up. She had an all-American childhood. Defining features of it were World War II, during which her family grew victory gardens; and vacations at her aunt's upstate NY farm, where her interactions with her aunt's cat Fluffy set the stage for her to become a lifelong cat lover. Her love of cats was transmitted to the next three generations in her family, her daughters, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchild. 

She attended Hofstra College (known today as Hofstra U), where she met her future husband, Gerry. She graduated in 1957 with a degree in English literature. She briefly taught English at a middle school, and left to get married and start a family. In 1964, She, Gerry, and their two daughters moved to Basking Ridge in 1964, where they have lived ever since. 

She was a fiercely loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She instilled in her daughters a love of learning and literature, the ability to think critically and for themselves, and the importance of always being a lady (and eating salad). She instilled in her grandchildren artistic creativity, a passion for history, and a love of animals. 

In 1981, she returned to the workforce. She was a hard-working, dependable, capable employee, well-liked and respected by her supervisors and co-workers. She worked for a time at a local business, Sussman's Department store in Bernardsville. She was such a good employee that her boss would take three-week vacations in Israel and leave her in charge, never doubting that the business would run like a clockwork.

Later, she went to work for AT&T. She became involved with the union. She handled the cases of workers whose rights were being violated, and advocated passionately and eloquently on their behalf, notching some impressive victories. She also wrote a series of twenty articles for the union newsletter titled The Story of Workers in America, which were later archived in the American Labor Museum in Haledon, NJ. These articles, which were about the history of the labor movement, offered a sobering perspective on the hard-won rights of American workers that so many people today take for granted. And yet as deeply as she believed in worker's rights, that was a two-way street with her. She also firmly believed in workers' responsibilities. She expected people to do a day's work for a day's pay, starting with herself. 

In 1997, she retired. She then devoted herself to her hobbies of cooking, quilting, and knitting. She excelled at all three. She joined the Spring Ridge Knitter's Club, which knitted afghans for residents of the Melissa Riggio Residence at the Somerset Hills YMCA for adults with special needs. With her knitting expertise, she helped to develop the skills of various  club members. She also combined her artistic and writing talents to write hundreds of eye-catching, persuasive postcards to voters in support of various candidates for public office with whom she shared visions of a better America. 

Her house was a bastion of high-quality literature for adults and children. Two particular literary passions of hers were classic poetry, such as the poems Ozymandius and Ode on a Grecian Urn; and the history of the Tudor Period in England and Wales. 

Ruth was a gentle, kind-hearted, caring, classy, generous soul. The best gift that she could receive for a special occasion was a donation to a non-profit like Alley Cat Allies or World Vison's Clean Water Program. To her, a donation made to lend a hand to someone less fortunate meant more than material things. And she was a true lady. Coarse language never passed her lips. With her superb writing and beautiful needlework, she lived a life of quiet brilliance. She was a thoughtful, faithful voter who never missed an election, and who carefully informed herself about the issues, candidates, and stakes before casting her vote. In short, she was the kind of solid, decent citizen that civilizations need in order to flourish. She is a true inspiration and beautiful role model who leaves a legacy of deep wisdom and a life well-lived. 

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Gerry, daughters Cathleen (Kitty) and Leslie, grandchildren Erin, Muirenn, and Erich, great-granddaughter Everleigh, her nephews Bob Allin and Arthur Homme, her niece, Gail Gallagher, and her two cats, Rebecca and Sylvia. She was predeceased by her parents George and Mildred Allin, brother Reverend Robert Allin, sister Barbara Homme, and various other cats with whom she shared her heart and home.

There will not be a funeral service for her.