Ruth Sutton

Ruth Virginia Sutton was first and foremost a woman dedicated to her family, a devoted wife and mother. She was a talented musician and used her musical abilities to touch countless lives. Not only did she serve as a local piano teacher for over forty years and an organist at area churches, but she was also an accompanist for the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers and the Walled Lake and Ypsilanti High School Choir programs. Her warm personality and enthusiasm for passing on her love of music won her many friends, as well.Just one month after the world rejoiced over Hitler's defeat in 1945, Jack and Agnes Williamson had a celebration of their own when their one and only baby girl arrived on May 12, 1945, in Detroit. Ruth grew up playing with the neighborhood kids, making friends at school and at church. The family attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wayne, now located in Westland, providing the basis for Ruth's lifelong commitment to her faith. She met her dear friend Margie Snyder (later to become Margie Ross) there when she was just seven years old, Little Ruth was introduced to the piano at an early age and loved the feel of the ivory under her fingertips. Her hobby grew into a passion, one that gave her many opportunities to serve and encourage others throughout her entire life. She eventually played the organ at Prince of Peace and worked with the children's choirs. In high school, Ruth played the flute and was the accompanist for her school's choir. Other girls often babysat in order to earn money, but Ruth gave piano lessons to children, sharing her love of music with enthusiasm and skill. She longed to study music further herself, but family finances did not afford them many luxuries. Ruth's talent, however, had a way of providing for itself. One evening at a concert at the high school, Ruth performed Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue.” Her performance demonstrated her great talent and potential, and an anonymous donor paid for a full summer scholarship for her to study at Interlochen after her junior year. Ruth graduated from Wayne Memorial High School with the class of 1963.After graduating, Ruth enrolled in Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, majoring in Music, and then transferred a year later to Eastern Michigan University. Music continued to bring Ruth great joy and satisfaction, but it also affected her life in a most unexpected way. Shortly after arriving at EMU, Ruth was practicing piano in the Alexander Music Building, a location that would become a second home for her. One day a young man named Ronald Sutton was in the building looking for an open practice room when he was captivated by beautiful sounds wafting through the hall. Curious to know whom the talented musician was, he peered through a two-way mirror to find the source and saw a blonde young lady with gorgeous brown eyes seated at the piano. According to his own description, the girl was “as pretty as the music she was making.” Ron quickly decided to practice in the room next door to hers, hoping for an opportunity to meet her. He was well rewarded when Ruth, having heard him and wondered who was there, came over and introduced herself. Over time, they became good friends. The next fall, Ruth and Ron had the same piano instructor and had class on the same day. On Saturday, October 16, 1965, the teacher cancelled class and Ruth called Ron to let him know. Ron recognized his opportune moment and asked if she wanted to go out since they didn't have class. Ruth consented, and they went on their first date to a movie called Darling. The movie was not as memorable as the thrill of simply being together, sharing dinner and a walk back to Ruth's home. The couple decided to go to church together the next morning. Their friendship gradually developed into love. On July 15, 1966, Ruth and Ron were “watching submarines” at Riverside Park, a spot frequented by couples wanting to be alone. Again, Ron recognized that the time was right and asked Ruth to marry him. She accepted, and exactly one year later, Ron and Ruth were married at Emanuel Lutheran Church, directly across the river from the spot where they were engaged. Ruth's childhood friend Margie was her maid-of-honor.The couple established their home in Ypsilanti and Ruth continued her studies, receiving her Bachelors of Music Education in 1967. She taught music for two years at Wayne/Westland Schools and then returned to EMU to earn her Masters Degree in Music, which she completed in 1972. While in graduate school, Ruth worked as a graduate assistant piano instructor.On May 8, 1970, Ruth and Ron experienced the joy of seeing their first child enter the world. Caring for little Kristin brought Ruth unspeakable joy and her love only doubled with the birth of Katrina three years later. It tripled in September of 1978 when Karrie surprised the family with her arrival. Ron and Ruth had wonderful times with their little ladies, and the family enjoyed traveling together. They took several camping trips around Michigan, including some stops for fudge on Mackinac Island, and a couple of visits to Disney World. Ruth loved being a mother and became an amazing protector and advocate for her girls. Ruth's love of music and desire to continue to improve led her to pursue further training. She decided to study organ with Donald Williams at Zion Lutheran Church and became the staff organist at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In 1975, the family transferred to Zion Lutheran in Ann Arbor and became very involved, particularly in the music department. Karrie was baptized there and all three of the girls were confirmed there. Ruth eventually served as Chairwoman of the Worship and Evangelical Committee. She found time to serve as the staff organist at First Baptist Church in Dearborn for about five years. In 1995, Ron and Ruth transferred churches and began regularly attending First Presbyterian of Ann Arbor where they became part of a group known as “Friends of First Presbyterian.” In addition for the last five years Ruth has been the staff organist at Knox Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor.As the girls got older, Ruth devoted more of her time to serving others with her music. She became very involved with the Ypsilanti High School Choirs as an accompanist and became good friends with the director, William Boggs. She had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Europe seven times with the Ypsilanti High School Chamber Singers, playing in such breathtaking venues as St. Peters, the Vatican, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, San Marco Cathedral in Venice, and the Basilique of Sacre Coeur in Paris. Ruth was thrilled to have Ron along for four of those memorable trips.Ruth passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2005, at her home after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She was beloved by students, professionals, friends, and family alike for her love of music and warm personality. She will be dearly missed by hundreds. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Sutton, their daughters, Kristin, Karrie, and Katrina (Matthew) Krause, and granddaughter Madeleine Ruth Krause. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Arbor Hospice, Knox Presbyterian, or First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive visitors at Nie Lifestory Funeral Home on Thursday, April 21, from 2 - 4 and from 6 - 8 p.m., and again on Friday, April 22, at First Presbyterian of Ann Arbor from noon until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend David Krehbiel and Reverend Chuck Jacob. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti.