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Ruth Alice Gabriel
Ruth Alice GabrielMusicNotesRuth Alice Gabriel, 96 years of age, passed away Saturday, March 12, at the Primrose Retirement Community in Marion, where she had resided since 2015. She had been in declining health for several months.

Alice was born near Prospect, on February 21, 1926, to the late Harold Randall and Grace Eva (Reynolds) Anson. She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Prospect High School in 1944, valedictorian of her class.

Alice's long, rewarding life was defined by family, faith, friends, and two interests which emerged early in her life, music and banking. She told a reporter during a newspaper interview, "I love music. I began playing by ear at the age of 4. I knew two songs and my parents got tired of hearing them. So, they arranged for lessons the following year. I walked one mile by myself at the age of 5 and paid 50 cents for my lesson." After years of study, Alice played piano, accordion, and organ. She served many years as a church organist both in Prospect and Toronto. She also played the calliope on both the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen riverboats, as well as theater organs in both Marion and Columbus. In her retirement years, she and a friend, Kathryn Hammond, performed over 100 programs for various groups in eastern Ohio, taking them "down memory lane".

Her banking career began as a teenager. Following graduation and a summer spent at Lakeside, the Prospect Citizens Bank called and asked Alice to come to work while another employee was ill. Beginning as a bookkeeper and teller at age 18, she retired at age 72, as Vice-President of UniBank of Steubenville. For many years, Uni Bank's office in Toronto, was known as
"Alice's Bank".

A lifelong member of The United Methodist Church, she was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Prospect Methodist Church, a congregation founded in part by her ancestors. There she served as organist, financial secretary, member of the Administrative Board, and was an active member of the Sunshine Circle. Following her husband's job transfer to Toronto, in 1960, Alice transferred her membership to First United Methodist Church in Toronto. She again served as organist and financial secretary. She was also a lay delegate to Annual Conference, served on the Administrative Board, and enjoyed Faith Fellowship with the church women.

In another interview, Alice was asked about happiness and success in life. She responded, "The answer is to have faith in God, keep busy, and do not let idle time become boring time". Keeping busy included being a founder of the Toronto Business Association, president of the Toronto Chamber of Commerce, member of the budget committee for the United Way of Jefferson County, member of the Private Industry Council of the Joint Training Partnership Act, president of the National Association of Bank Women's eastern Ohio group, member of the Advisory Council for the Tri-County Home Health Agency, and volunteering with the Toronto unit of the Salvation Army. She also served as president of both the N&N and Three Arts Clubs in Toronto. For several years, she belonged to the Toronto Senior Citizens and arranged many bus trips for the members. Additionally, she is a member of the Captain William Hendricks Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

In recognition of Alice's dedicated service, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Toronto, Ohio, Chamber of Commerce. She was also a recipient of the Gold Award of the United Way for her commitment to the community, and was named in the Who's Who Registry of Business Leaders for outstanding leadership and achievement in the banking profession.

On August 29, 1948, in the Prospect Methodist Church, she married Robert B. Gabriel. He preceded her in death in 2005. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Edmund C. Anson and Margaret M. (Anson) Dunbar. Alice is survived by three daughters, Jane (Talmage) Burkett of Marion, Sue (Larry) Davidson of Toronto, and Joy (Robert) Siers of Toronto. She also leaves two granddaughters, Amanda Burkett Wright (Ricky) of Hermitage, Tennessee, and Lauren Davidson Betts (Chris) of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, and one great-grandson, Carter Betts.

Graveside Services will be held Thursday March 17, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Prospect Cemetery, with Rev. Kevin Rinkes, her long-time Pastor and friend, officiating.

Because she suffered from low vision in her later years, memorial gifts may be directed to the following: Ohio Lions Eye Care Fund, 13840 Robinson Road, Plain City, Ohio 43064

The family would like to express their sincere thanks for the excellent, loving care that Alice received from the nursing and care staff at the Primrose Retirement Community. Additional thanks are extended to Linda Oehler of Joyce's Angels whose visits brightened her days, and the Tranquility Hospice team who attended to her during her final months.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home, Prospect.

Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com


Directions to Prospect Cemetery




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Condolences       to

#1 from: Vickie Starr Boggs
Toronto, OH
Sun, Mar 13, 2022 at 9:04 PM

Jane, Sue, and Joy,  
I’m so sorry to hear about your Mom.  She was always such a dear, sweet woman of God.  May she Rest In Peace🕊
My condolences to you and your families.
Vickie Starr Boggs




#2 from: Theresa McGrath
Toronto
Sun, Mar 13, 2022 at 10:37 PM

Jane,Sue, and Joy,
So sorry to hear about Alice's
passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all! So glad I was blessed to know her!
Theresa



#3 from: Shelly (Olsheski) Dillon
Ostrander
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 9:30 AM

You always spoke of your mother with such high regards. You could tell in your voice how much love there was between you. I know to you, she was a great lady, mother, and grandmother.  I am very sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy.
(I miss the old days at the”Korbut Kutter”



#4 from: Rita Carnahan
Toronto, Ohio
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 9:35 AM

I worked for Alice at Unibank she was the very best my sympathy to the entire family for the loss of this great woman.



#5 from: Pauline Oehler
Sun City West  AZ 
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 1:14 PM

Jane, Sue and Joy and families,
I send my condolences today. Alice was a fine lady and I know you will miss her. You were so lucky to have had her for so long. May you cherish your memories. Being a friend of Maggie's and a neighbor to Alice and Bob, I know what a unique woman she was.

Pauline Oehler




#6 from: Becky   Jacobs Rynders
Abilene, TX
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 2:26 PM

Jane & Family   Prayers - keep the good memories alive.  Love Ya Cousin Becky



#7 from: Chuck and Linda McFerren
Florida Keys
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 7:20 PM

We are so sorry to hear of Alice’s passing. She was a good friend for many years, through the bank and the Chamber and DBA.  I specifically remember how much she enjoyed her music and how she, at any time, would sit down at a handy piano and start to play, without music, no matter where she was! Our sympathy to her family.  Thinking of Alice always brings a smile.



#8 from: Jo Nelson
Stratton, Ohio
Mon, Mar 14, 2022 at 9:48 PM

Dear Joy, Sue, & Jane & families...Leon and I are truly sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was just a dear, sweet, and beautiful lady. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending much love and hugs! ❤🙏❤



#9 from: Barbara Clarke
 
Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 8:41 AM

Alice always took the time to speak to you whenever she saw you.  



#10 from: Ray and Arlene James
Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 1:04 PM

Sending sincere condolences and sympathy to  the Gabriel family.  May God comfort you all with many precious memories.



#11 from: Raylene (Eshbaugh) Toth
Toronto, Ohio
Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 2:13 PM

To Jane and your whole family,
So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. You were so blessed to have had her in your life for so many great years.
My deepest sympathy.



#12 from: Greg Agresta
Steubenville, Ohio
Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 3:16 PM

Joy, Jane & Sue,

You have my deepest sympathy with the loss of your mom. She was a boss, a mentor and a very dear friend. I always referred to Alice as my second mother, what a wonderful person!

You have so many memories to cherish. She was an inspiration to all the individuals whose lives she touched.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during your loss. I will cherish my friendship with her.

Sincerely,
Greg Agresta



#13 from: Dave & Judy Leasure
Toronto Oh
Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 9:19 AM

Joy:  Condolences to you and your family. I knew her from seeing her at the bank.



#14 from: Jones Patricia
 
Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 9:44 AM

My heart and prayers are with you all.



#15 from: Joanna Mihalik
Toronto, Ohio
Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 2:48 PM

Thank you, Mrs. Gabriel, for always having a smile on your face and kind words about my musical ability whenever we spoke. I plan on following your words on happiness and success in life.

With gratitude for your encouragement,
Joanna Mihalik

"In another interview, Alice was asked about happiness and success in life. She responded, “The answer is to have faith in God, keep busy, and do not let idle time become boring time”.



#16 from: Mary Lu Swartz
Richwood
Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 11:00 PM

Ruth was a classmate of my mother, Maxine Warner.  Ruth was also the organist for my parents wedding(Bill and Maxine Norris).  I am glad she was able to share her gift of music with so many people to enjoy throughout her lifetime. My sympathy to all her family but sounds like she lived a very full and rewarding life that touched not only her family but others in her lifetime.  Take care.



#17 from: Mary Lee
 Marion, OH
Fri, Mar 18, 2022 at 5:40 PM

I want to send my sincere condolence to Jane and her family for the loss of her mother. She lived a very productive life and leave as her legacy a family second to none. Rest in peace, Alice.



#18 from: Denise (Alvis) Cain
Toronto, OH
Sat, Apr 2, 2022 at 1:32 PM

Joy, Sue and Jane,
     I am so sad to hear of your moms passing!  I will always remember her for the so many years at the bank and around Toronto!  She was such a wonderful lady and example of how to live life!!




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