Obituary of Ruth Ann Shropshire

Ruth Ann Shropshire of Vineland passed away on November 17, 2022, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Born on January 11, 1950, she was a 1968 graduate of Vineland High School, Ruth went on to receive a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1972 from Monmouth University. In 1985, she was certified by Glassboro State College as a teacher of the handicapped. During college, she worked for two summers as a camp counselor at the American Institute of Mental Studies. After graduation, she moved to Tennessee, where she was a Prison guard and then taught grades 2 through 7 for six years for the Robertson County Board of Education. After she returned to Vineland, Ruth spent the next twenty-six years as a teacher for the Vineland Board of Education. She initially taught alternative education classes and then instructed students pursuing their GED through the Adult Education program before she retired in 2011. Upon retirement she continued to tutor several GED students. Ruth never lost her love for teaching; she assisted her niece Colleen (Shropshire) Snodgrass, who became a special education teacher. She inspired and supported her nephew Sean's professional musical career all the way down to buying his first drum set. Ruth was devoted to her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her great nieces and nephew. She was an expert crafter, who made beautiful cards, flower arrangements, wreaths, and enjoyed scrapbooking. An avid reader, she also liked to shop and spent time decorating for each holiday throughout the year. She was a talented baker, whose cookies and cheesecakes will be missed at family gatherings. She attributed her talents to her mother, who sketched and painted, and her father, who designed a variety of specialty equipment. During her lifetime, she loved to travel to a number of different destinations. For many years, Ruth was active in the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society, where she served first as a volunteer and as a trustee, later assuming the role of president of the board. During her tenure, a handicapped ramp was installed on the front of the museum to facilitate access. In addition, Ruth was responsible for implementing the school tour program that gave fourth grade students from Vineland the opportunity to visit the museum and learn more about their hometown. Ruth was predeceased by her parents Ruth Charlotte (Gifford) Shropshire and Robert Christy Shropshire, Sr. She is survived by her siblings: Robert Christy Jr. and wife Vicky Shropshire, and Paul David and wife Beverly Shropshire, as well as her nieces and nephews: Sean Paul and wife Florentine Shropshire and Colleen Frances Danielle and husband Josh Snodgrass, who saw her as their grandmother. In addition, she is survived by her great-nieces and nephew: Riley Rose Shropshire, Piper Willow Shropshire and Clay Robert Patrick Shropshire. She will be missed by her devoted fur baby, Maxwill, who was her loving companion. Relatives and friends will be received on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and again on Wednesday November 23, 2022 from 9:30am to 10:30mam, followed by a funeral service at 10:30am at DeMarco – Luisi Funeral Home, 2755 S. Lincoln Ave. Vineland, NJ Ruth will be laid to rest at Siloam Cemetery, Vineland, NJ. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society or the Funny Farm Rescue Animal Shelter in Mays Landing.