Ruth Hilja Heitnen of Newark, DE passed away peacefully on July 18, 2016 under the care of Compassionate Care Hospice.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 21st at 11am at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 701 S College Ave, Newark, DE 19713.  Visitation will begin at 10am.  Burial will follow at Head of Christiana Cemetery, 1100 Church Rd, Newark, DE 19711.  

Ruth was born on March 7, 1915 in Maynard, MA.  She graduated from Maynard High School and attended Bryant & Stratton School of Business in Boston, MA.  Ruth worked as a secretary in Boston and later in Wilmington, DE.

Ruth was married to Ray Heitnen on September 11, 1938.  Ray served as Chief Yeoman in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  Upon his return in 1945, the young couple moved to Delaware for Ray’s employment at DuPont.  They raised two children in Delaware and were happily married for 49 years until Ray’s passing on October 25, 1997.

Ruth was an active member of the church throughout her life, serving as a piano and organ accompanist for the church choir in her younger years and later knitting for Busy Hands.  Her artistic talents were highlighted by her crewel, knitting, quilting, and embroidery hobbies.  Ruth was a lover of the outdoors.  She enjoyed gardening, camping, boating on the Chesapeake with her family and spending time along the Florida Gulf Coast.  Ruth was also a loving grandmother.  She celebrated in the accomplishments of her two granddaughters.  As a member of the Delaware Valley Finnish-American Society, Ruth was proud of her Finnish heritage.  She enjoyed sharing her Finnish culture, language and family recipes.  Her personal strength and loving support will be missed.

Ruth is survived by her devoted daughter, Joan Beatty and son-in-law, Charles F. Beatty III; granddaughters, Sara Beatty Stonaha and her husband Paul and Rachel Beatty Stucker and her husband Jack; great granddaughter, Annabelle Winter Stonaha; nephew, David Hietanen and his wife Susan and niece, Deborah Poehlman and her husband Russell.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Ray, her son, Steven and brothers, Eero Heinonen and Russell Heinonen.

The family thanks the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice for their kind and caring support of both Ruth and her relatives.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Family flowers arranged by Gamble's Newark Flowers, 302-366-1211 tel.

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