Ruth Elizabeth Ellerthorpe

Ruth Elizabeth Ellerthorpe, geb. Sunderman, age 99, of Pompton Plains, NJ, passed away on August 19, 2025.

Ruth was born on November 6, 1925, in Berwyn, IL, to Naomi Sophie Sunderman (geb. Grothaus) and Edwin Frederick Sunderman. She attended Duke University, where she studied Humanities with a focus in German. She was a dedicated student, earning mostly A's and B's. Ruth was active in her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and especially enjoyed her involvement with the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. She volunteered there regularly and once spent a summer living on campus. Ruth graduated from Duke in 1947 with a bachelor's degree and went on to teach school for several years.

During those post-graduation years, Ruth met her late husband, Stanley Vernon Ellerthorpe, at Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, NC—both were visiting friends and family stationed at a nearby Army base during WWII. Ruth and Vernon were married on June 6, 1949, in New York City. They went on to raise four children—Carolyn, Janice, Dean, and Donald—with Ruth devoting herself fully as a stay-at-home mother during their early years. Once the children were older, she returned to the workforce and began a new career at Summit Bank and Trust, where she remained until her retirement.

After her husband's passing in 1994, Ruth relocated to the Mount Dora Country Club in Florida, where she embraced an active lifestyle. She formed close friendships, traveled with neighbors, and pursued her love of arts and crafts—particularly crocheting and sewing. Always eager to stay connected, she even became somewhat tech-savvy to keep in touch with her children and grandchildren.

In 2006, Ruth moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ, to be closer to family. There, she became deeply involved in her community and formed many cherished friendships. She founded the Trips and Travel Club and organized numerous excursions, including Broadway shows in New York City, museum visits, and seasonal leaf tours through New England and upstate New York. Through the club, she fulfilled her love of travel with memorable adventures such as a Danube River cruise, a tour following the path of Lewis and Clark, and trips across Europe.

After a decade of leading the travel club, Ruth shifted her focus to sharing her talents by participating in sewing and cooking groups. She and her fellow residents created quilts for the assisted living community, crocheted and knitted clothing, and hosted holiday bake sales. She also passed down her love of crocheting to several of her granddaughters, ensuring her legacy of creativity would continue.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Clara Louise Lafrancis (geb. Sunderman). She is survived by her children—Carolyn Louise Taeschner, Janice Elizabeth Didier, Dean Frederick Ellerthorpe, and Donald Stanley Ellerthorpe—and their spouses. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on October 14, 2025, at 1:30 PM at the Old Cadet Chapel at West Point. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ruth's honor to the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (https://arrowmont.org/donate/) or to West Point (https://www.westpointaog.org/giving/why-give/).

Ruth will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She will be remembered not only for the love and creativity she shared but also for the quiet dedication she showed—whether cheering on a Duke basketball game or supporting Army Football. Her loyalty to her teams reflected the thoughtful and steadfast nature she brought to all aspects of her life, leaving a lasting impression on those who knew her.