Ruth (Wise) Meell

The feisty, fabulous fun-loving Ruth W. Meell died on April 27th in Greenburgh, NY. She was 100 years old, which she attributed to her love of oysters and mimosas.

Ruth was born on Sept. 14, 1922 in Philadelphia, PA to Anna Pervis and William Wise. She and her brother,Joseph wereraised in the area and attended Upper Darby High School. Ruth later studied at Hahneman Hospital where she received her degree as a registered nurse.

For several of her many years of nursing, Ruth worked as an operating room nurse to an orthopedist in Philadelphia. She met the love of her life, Edward Meell, in an amateur theater group, their early years together disrupted by Ed’s participation in WWII and The Korean War. They married and had two children, Melissa and Richard Meell. Ruth continued to work as a nurse in Manhasset, NY and later in Lewes, DE at Bebee Hospital until the age of 75.

Ruth loved people and has always had an optimism about life. A lifelong learner and voracious reader, Ruth continued to take courses through the University of Delaware when she retired. Her keen sense of humor, kindness, and generous spirit drew friends and family close to her.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Melissa and son-in-Law Stephen Richardson, her son Richard and his wife Karen Meell, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.