Ruth Ann Runyan

Ruth Ann Runyan (nee Schoenbachler) Ruth Ann Runyan, 81, of La Plata, MD, passed away June 4, 2022, in her home with her family by her side. She was born to the late Carl and Blandina Schoenbachler, April 2, 1941, in Louisville, KY. Ruth graduated from Assumption High School in 1959 and received duel bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy from Nazareth College in 1963. She married Bob Runyan on February 19, 1966, at Mt. Calvary Catholic Church in Forestville MD, and they lived in Suitland and Camp Springs MD before relocating to La Plata MD. Ruth worked at the Census Bureau in Suitland MD as a survey statistician/economist for 44 years and rose through the ranks to become the Assistant Division Chief of the Economic Census and Surveys Division, and later, the Company Statistics Division. It was there she met her husband Bob, and they made many mutual friends who became their extended family. After retiring from the Census Bureau, she performed volunteer work at several organizations including Catholic Charities and Charles County Hospice. She was also a member of the Richard R. Clark’s Senior Council. Ruth was a strong community leader in the Catholic Church at St. Philip the Apostle in Camp Springs MD and Sacred Heart in La Plata MD. She coordinated and prepared meals for multiple church functions at both parishes including crab feasts at St. Philip’s and bereavement repasts at Sacred Heart. She was also a lector and a Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the Cemetery Committee at Sacred Heart and was an enthusiastic advocate for the columbarium that was recently erected there. Ruth was also devoted to the Carmelite nuns of the Mount Carmel Monastery in La Plata MD. She was a long standing board member of the Restorers of Mount Carmel in Maryland, Inc and organized the group’s primary fund raiser. Ruth was a pillar of the Catholic church, and to quote a friend, “We hope the church doesn’t fall down without her!”. Ruth loved music! She played the piano, organ, and accordion. She loved singing and had a strong alto/tenor voice. She sang in and directed several church choirs including those at St. Philip’s and Sacred Heart. She also enjoyed participating in a barbershop quartet and was a member of the Chesapeake Choral Arts Society. Ruth enjoyed participating in recreational sports including volleyball and coed softball. She also enjoyed driving little sports cars including her original Triumph spitfire, Mazda RX7s, and Miatas. Ruth loved hosting gatherings for family and friends including Thanksgiving and Easter celebrations and Kentucky Derby parties where her mint juleps often overshadowed the race! Ruth was a survivor of the 911 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and of an F4 tornado in La Plata MD. Ruth was a loving and devoted wife and a loving (albeit strict) mother and grandmother. She raised 3 children while working full time. Ruth is survived by multiple family members including the following: her husband, Bob Runyan; her brother, Carl Schoenbachler (Colleen Schoenbachler); three children, Maria Parkhurst (Rick Parkhurst), Jama Hare (Craig Hare), and Mitchell Runyan; three grandchildren, Stephan Parkhurst, Amanda Parkhurst, and Hannah Runyan; four great-grandchildren, Camellia (CJ) Parkhurst, Danny, Toby, and Teddy Reifer; sister-in-law, Joan Murrell; brother-in-law, Tom Runyan (Jeni Lynch); five nieces and nephews, Tiffany Sipley (Brent Sipley), Melanie Brown (David Brown), Leslie Huntley, Eric Murrell (Amy Murrell), and Leah McWhorter; and 3 extended children and grandchildren, Scott Galloway, Liz Bailey (Patrick Bailey), and Elle Bailey. Ruth was predeceased by her sister, Rose Mary (Bootsie) Schoenbachler and nephew, Carl Schoenbachler III. A Christian Burial Mass will be offered for Ruth on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 10 am at Sacred Heart in La Plata MD with a repast in the Friendship Hall immediately following. Three suggested charitable causes are The Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund in La Plata MD, Mary’s Pantry at Sacred Heart in La Plata MD, and the Restorers of Mount Carmel in Maryland, Inc.

Ruth Ann Runyan

April 2, 1941 - June 4, 2022