Lillian Elizabeth Ruark passed away at home on May 26th, 2024. A beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, our mother Lillian lived 97 years, a remarkable duration only achieved by 0.02% of the world's population. She lived 34 of those years in Sun City Center. Lillian is survived by her sons Ed and Ralph, daughter Cindy, daughter's in-law Penny, Tina and Ivy, grandchildren Casey, Dean, Amanda, Michelle and Nolan, great-grandchildren Jonah and Norah, Liliana and Brayden, and Isabella, and niece Kelly Knapp.

Our Mom lived life on her own terms, eschewing most pharmaceuticals and conventional health care for her own variety of homeopathic strategies, and in the end, who can argue with that? Lillian and her husband Sterling were married nearly 70 years at the time of his passing, seven years ago. Daughter Cindy watched over her in Dad's absence and enabled her to live in her home until the end – that assistance that should gain our sister sainthood.

Mom was an incredible worker! She ran a dry cleaner, an outlet store, and our father's home office for many years to help provide for our family. She could type up a storm with speed and accuracy, all while raising three children and keeping the house in top shape. She was always on hand to help her kids whenever they needed it. She always put others first.

Lillian was a fierce protector and constant worrier about the safety of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren throughout their lives. Part-lifeguard and part-policewoman, she was always on duty, even saving her youngest child Ed from drowning on at least one occasion. Her worry followed us everywhere, and although we didn't always thank her for it, we now understand that it was a mark of her unconditional love for her family.

Lil was also a caring and watchful grandmother. Although she refused to drive on divided highways, she found a route to her oldest son Ralph's house to frequently visit and care for her first two grandchildren Casey and Dean. Her time with them brought great joy for everyone involved, and it didn't matter that the back roads nearly doubled the driving time. She was also involved in the lives of her two granddaughters, Amanda and Michelle. She and Sterling drove from Florida to Cindy's house in New Jersey countless times and toured the attractions of Florida with the girls on their annual summer visits. From Cypress Gardens to Sea World, Lil was there. For Ed and Penny's only child Nolan, Lil was the only person Penny would trust for a week's long vacation in the Virgin Islands when Nolan was very little, in a time before easy cell phone communication. Lil handled that assignment with ease and confidence. What a wonderful grandmother!
Lil was also an under-rated athlete. Her golf skills bloomed late in life, and she was rewarded with club championships, great golf trips, and an excellent game (including a hole-in-one). In retirement, she worked at the Sun City North course, running the pro shop with ease and getting free golf in return. What a life! Mom and Dad had a wonderful retirement, and we are thankful that their lives were so full.

Our Mom was a vociferous card player. Poker sessions wouldn't end until another player called it - she would play all night if we let her. Of course, the longer you played against Lil the more she was likely to win. Her luck and skill in cards were unmatched by us; she had the right stuff! Cards became another of her late-in-life joys, and we were happy to play (and usually lose) to her.

In the end, we hope that we did what Mom wanted, allowing her to confront death on her own terms, at home, without massive medical intervention or discomfort. We thank Hospice for making the end bearable and mostly pain free. We thank Tina and Ivy for suggesting hospice, and Tom for his comfort and support of Cindy during her residency with Mom. We know she is at peace, and we can all look back at a life well lived and so very well loved. We'll miss you and love you forever, Mom.