Ruth Eleanore Wade's Obituary
Encinitas, CA – Ruth Eleanor Wade died peacefully Tuesday the 20th of February at Scripps Memorial Hospital. Ruth was born on December 31, 1936, in Evanston, Illinois, to Hugh and Aileen Frazier. She had a brother, Pat, who was seven years older, and with whom she maintained a very close relationship until his death in 2006. The other guiding lights in her life were her maternal grandparents, Samuel and Maude Fogel. But, perhaps nothing defined Ruth more than her capacity for empathy and optimism. Her career – as nurse, hospice worker and health care administrator – was a perfect marriage of person and profession, which blessed countless lives over nearly half a century. She saw the best in everyone, and brought out the best in everyone.In 1946 Ruth’s family moved to La Jolla. After graduating from La Jolla High in 1955, Ruth attended Bishop Johnson School of nursing in Los Angeles. While working at Good Samaritan Hospital, she met Ernie Mergenthaler, a neighbor in her apartment building. They married in 1958 and lived briefly in the Bird Rock section of La Jolla, before returning to Los Angeles. Over their 18-year marriage they had three children.In 1986 Ruth married childhood friend, Wayne Wade, with whom she reconnected at a high school reunion. They settled in Oceanside, and at the age of 60 Ruth went back to college, earning her BSN degree in 1999. In 2006 Ruth and Wayne moved to North Bend, Oregon, a change Ruth came to embrace. When Wayne died in 2014, Ruth returned to Southern California, settling into the vibrant community of La Costa Glen.She is survived by her children Mike Mergenthaler of Centerport, NY; Steve and Cheryl Mergenthaler of Encinitas, CA, and Susie & Nick DeMarco of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Ruth’s grandchildren brought her endless joy and include Jack Mergenthaler, Kelly Mergenthaler, Julia DeMarco, Claire Mergenthaler, Joe DeMarco, Emma DeMarco, Audrey Mergenthaler and her husband’s grandchildren Chandra Wade-Rogers and Levi Wade.Memorial donations may be made to Scripps Healthcare. Checks should be made payable to Scripps Health Foundation and sent to Scripps Health, P.O. Box 2669, La Jolla, CA 92038. Please include a note stating that the gift is in memory of Ruth E. Wade. Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, has been entrusted with arrangements.
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