Mary D. Steele Ruff

Mary D. Steele Ruff, 91, of Evansville, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Terrace at Solarbron. Mary was born Ena Mary Dymott on March 23, 1928 in Southampton, England to the late Albert William and Julia Kate Dymott. She was a veteran of the Women’s Royal Navy Service (WRNS). Her childhood in Southampton was interrupted on September 3, 1939 when Britain declared war on Germany. Following VE Day, Mary joined the WRNS and in 1949 married and moved to America, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1963. Mary worked as a secretary and later became the office manager of Johnson, Carroll and Griffith Attorneys at Law from 1963 until her retirement in 1990. Avid fans of the Evansville Aces, Mary and her husband Austin, held season tickets for nearly forty years and rarely missed a game. Purple was certainly her favorite color! Mary was a beloved Sunday School teacher at Bible Fellowship Church and later, at Forest Hills Baptist Church. A devoted wife, loving, wise and gentle mother, friend and counselor, she will be greatly missed by her four children and grandchildren; daughter, Jackie Miles and her sons, Jeff Miles and John (Andi) Miles; son, Stephen (MeLissa) Williams and his daughters, Jennifer (Brandt) Young and Shayna Williams; daughter, Julia “JR” (Danny) Schembre and their children, JoLeigh (Michael) Van Hoy, Mary (Chris) Maria and Danny (Samantha) Schembre, II; son Scott (Cheryl) Steele and children, Austin (Chelsey) Steele, Amber (Shawn) Edwards and Ashley Steele; Scott’s stepsons, Tony (Wendy) Gumbel and Matt Gumbel. Mary loved and was dearly loved by her stepchildren, Alan (Sue) Steele, Greg (Kim) Steele, LaDonna Steele Smith and Renae Steele and their children. Together Mary and Austin had twenty-one grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Mary is also survived by two brothers, Michael Dymott and David Dymott, both of the UK. The family wishes to express love and appreciation for the love and friendship of her dearest friend, sister-in-law and mentor, Sarah Williams of Baton Rouge, LA; numerous nieces and nephews throughout the US and UK, and the loving care and support of her MSA Hospice team, Solarbron Pointe and Terrace family. She is celebrating life and love in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her parents, her husband Austin Steele, husband, Donald Ruff and a great wave of loving friends and family, no doubt over a warm cup of properly brewed British tea. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Pierre Funeral Home, Rev. Tyrone Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 until 7:00 PM on Tuesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street. Memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Habitat for Humanity or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

Mary D. Steele Ruff

March 23, 1928 - November 2, 2019