Margaret Ann Hobensack Ruddle, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 92, passed away peacefully in her home at Penick Village, of Southern Pines, on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Curtis Speight Ruddle Jr. (aka Bud); and her sister, Kathryn Saunders Gardner.
She was born and raised in Doylestown, Pa., and graduated from high school in Jenkintown, Pa. She graduated from Bradford Junior College, received her B.A. in education from Trenton State College, and her master’s in education from Temple University.
Margie and Bud raised their three children, Jerry, Susan and Annie, in Newtown, Pa. She was active in the community and helped many young students while teaching elementary school. Margie taught swimming at all levels and many swimmers continued to thank her to this day.
She was an active member of the Newtown United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.
Margie was the daughter of Lavinia Blackfan Hobensack, who was born in Newtown, the daughter of John and Mary Linton Blackfan. Margie’s father was W. Carlisle Hobensack, originally from Ivyland, Pa. Margie’s great-grandparents were George Chapman Blackfan and Lavinia T. Worstall, also of Newtown. The Blackfans were active Quakers and members of the Newtown Friends Meeting. Through Margie’s great-great-grandfather, George Blackfan, the family is related by marriage to William Penn. She was a Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR) along with her mother, daughters and granddaughters.
Margie was a lover of music, art, the literary council, teaching, swimming, playing tennis, quilting, knitting and cooking traditional specialties.
She loved her family. She and Bud were life partners. They moved from Newtown to Seven Lakes, 1988-2008, and shared their values and love of life with family and friends. Margie served on the board of directors with the Arts Council of Moore County from 1993-1998. After Bud passed in 2008, Margie chose to move into Penick Village, where she has had great friends and care givers over the years. She was an active member of the chapel there, an active scrabble and bridge player, and played the piano for fun remembering songs from her youth and college years.
Margie had a servant’s heart as she volunteered in many roles throughout the years and is an inspiration to all of us. Through her church, sports, teaching, and her continuous learning, she had a positive impact on all she has served. With a kind and loving spirit, Margie leaves a legacy of an unwavering cheerful and positive attitude, which she maintained her entire life. She had the gift of uplifting all who met her.
She is survived by her children, Jerry Curtis Ruddle (Nancy Haldeman Ruddle), Susan Ruddle Whitehurst, Ann Ruddle White (David White); her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Margie had seven grandchildren, Cara, Kelly, Dave, Elizabeth, Katie, Anna, Michael; and 10 great-grandchildren, Rebekah, Addisyn, Reese, Cayden, Emelyn, Madeline, Jack, Olliver, Piper and Joel.
A memorial service at 3 p.m., will be held in The Penick Village House, followed by a reception on Saturday, Sept. 9.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Penick Village Chapel of Southern Pines NC, and FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care.
Online condolences may be left at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.