Ruth M. DickensAge 85, of Aurora, passed away, unexpectedly, Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at Provena Mercy Hospital, Aurora where she was recovering from a hip fracture. BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born October 21, 1920 in Aurora, IL, the daughter of Foster and Lottie (Lawler) Webster.Ruth graduated from East Aurora High School where she made many life long friends with whom she still kept in touch. Following graduation she began working at the National Brush Company, Aurora, where her brother, Clarence was also employed. MARRIAGE & FAMILYOn November 30,1946 she was united in marriage to Challuce N. Dickens in Aurora. They made their first home in an apartment on Benton Street. Through the years that followed they moved to Superior Street and eventually to their first home on High Street. Following Challuce’ death in 1967, Ruth remained on High Street where she raised their four children. She began working at Dyna-Color part time and her two older children, Joy and Melody helped raise their younger brother and sister, Rick and Nancy. Times were tough but they stuck together and looking back, even the hard times were good times. With the children grown, Ruth eventually sold the family home and took an apartment on Aurora’s west side. As a well known greeter at Walmart, Ruth was always friendly but in charge as she pursued shoplifters if they dared to take something past her. She "retired" from her post here at the age of 84. Many people also got to know Ruth as a volunteer at Provena Mercy Hospital.In more recent years, Ruth had moved to West Downers Place where she lived with her cat "Cuddles", a thirty-pound lap full of love. Independent and self-sufficient to the very last, Ruth will long be remembered for her generosity, her love for life and her determination to live to her very last moment – her way. MEMBERSHIPSShe was a life long member of the First Congregational Church, Aurora (later in Montgomery) until more recent years when she began attending the Community Congregational Church at Elburn, with her daughter, Joy. Ruth was also a member of the Jennings Terrace Auxiliary and Ladies of the Moose where she entertained countless senior citizens with her friends in the "Kitchen Band". Bowling and fishing were her two favorite pass-times and long will live the stories of trips to Wisconsin and Minnesota. SURVIVORS The last of her generation she is survived by four children and their families:Joy (Joe) Rubo of Sugar Grove, ILAnd her family: Scott (Carrie) RuboJodie RuboMelody (Andy) Frank of Aurora, ILAnd her family: Chris (fiancee Jennie Berendson) Frank, Megan (Robert Richmond) Frank and Erin FrankRick (Patti) Dickens of ElburnAnd his family: Randy DickensLori (Matt) HummColton, Isabella, LylahAlli (fiancee’ Phil Heck) DickensDusty DickensAnd Nancy (Larry) Schum of Somonauk, IL;Two nieces Joan(Gene) Leifheit Linda (Ron) CarleyandOne cat, "Cuddles" PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her parents Foster and LottieHer husband, Challuce N. DickensSiblings:two brothers Clarence and his wife, Eloise WebsterFoster "Junior" Webster Jr.One great grand daughter Skylar E. RichmondandOne great niece: Angela CarleyVISITATION / FUNERAL Her visitation will be held, Sunday, July 30, from 3 pm -7 pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Visitation will continue Monday morning from 9am until 10am at the Community Congregational Church, Main and Shannon Streets, Elburn, where funeral services will begin at 10:30am. The Rev. Robert Meisner will officiate. Following luncheon, committal services will conclude at Spring Lake Cemetery, Aurora, IL at 1:30pm.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Ruth’s name to benefit the Community Congregational Church, Special Olympics and Cancer Research. Memorials checks may be made to the Ruth Dickens Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held at the Conley Funeral Home Sunday July 30th from 3-7pm.

Committal Service will be held at 1:30pm

A full obituary will follow

Visitation Sunday, July 30, 3 pm -7 pm Visitation will continue on Monday morning from 9am until 10am Monday 10:30am at Community Congregational Church,

Interment Spring Lake Cemetery, Aurora - 1:30pm