Ruth Burlingame Antrim Stanley
Ruth Burlingame Antrim Stanley went to Heaven on Friday, October 4th. Ruth died peacefully in her home at Brookdale Senior Living Center after a brief battle with Cancer. All seven of her children and grand dog, Caetlind, were by her side before her death to give her love and say their goodbyes.
Ruth was the youngest and last surviving, of three sisters, Katharine A. “Kaki” Howe, and Clelland A. “Doody” McWilliams. Born and raised in St. Louis, Ruth attended Mary Institute and graduated high school from Villa Duchesne. Ruth attended college at Casements College in Florida and Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado.
Ruth married Charles Patrick Stanley II in 1957 and they had eight children. Ruth was devoted to her family. She and her children enjoyed their swimming pool and tennis court during the summers, putting the Stanley home at the top of the list for the neighborhood summer destination, summer camps, and barbeques; some referred to the home as the “Stanley Pool and Tennis Club”. The family could be seen throughout St. Louis for various charitable events and birthday parties riding on the family fire truck. They were an integral part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade each year as they piled onto the fire truck with friends and neighbors in celebration of their Irish heritage.
The family vacations in August included all nine family members, plus an occasional cousin or friend who wanted in on the action. They boarded their green GMC Jimmy motor home for destinations unknown.
The kids asked, “Where are we going this year?”
“Bring a coat, bring a bathing suit!” were the packing instructions.
They were fortunate to have traveled through a vast majority of the United States and parts of Canada, as well as river boating on the Mississippi Queen and cruising through six of the seven great lakes on the World Discoverer. Ruth kept journals of the family vacations to document the many comical instances, antics and adventures. There were instances of luggage falling out of the on-roof luggage rack onto the highway, and, while there were even routine count-offs by the family every time they re-boarded from a stop, there were still instances of a kid or two left behind every now and then. They were always retrieved upon discovery and all were accounted for upon their return home at the end of their trips.
Ruth was a very involved mother, always engaging in her children’s activities and sporting events. She supported each and every one of them and was always encouraging. She loved God and taught her family to always have faith. She thoroughly enjoyed singing in the parish choir, was an excellent tennis player, swimmer, and an accomplished poet.
Later in life, Ruth spent a great deal of her free time volunteering and worked as a companion and caregiver to the elderly. Ruth was also very active and involved in her six grandchildren’s lives.
Ruth was a kind-spirited and genuine person with so much love for her family and friends. Her cheerful attitude was contagious and she never failed to put a smile on the faces of everyone she met.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles P., and son, Joseph. She was a beloved mother and survived by her children, Ruth Antrim Stanley of Vail, Colorado, Charles Patrick (Erica), Ralph, Michael (Brigit), Gerald “Jerry”, Kevin (Mary), all of St. Louis, MO and Mary Katharine “Kate” (Mark) Mehle of Columbia, MO. Treasured grandmother to Molly, Susie and Katharine Mehle, Ryan and Evan Stanley, and Elizabeth Stanley.
Similar to her personality, Ruth was always known to wear bright and vibrant colors. We would love for you to dress the same for the celebration of her life.
As in life, Ruth gave to others. In death Ruth has donated her body to science at St. Louis University.
Celebration of Life Memorial Service: Friday, October 11, 2019, Visitation at 9:30 am followed by 10:30 am Mass. Immacolata Catholic Church, 8900 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights 63117.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Louis Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.