Ruth H. How

Edna Ruth Harris How
Born November 1, 1924
Died May 7, 2017

Ruth H How was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania to Earle Robert Harris and Madeline Wolfington Green on November 1, 1924 and raised as an only child. She graduated with honors for Upper Darby High School in 1942. She worked in the typing pool for Boeing in Secane, Pennsylvania and during this time she met her future husband Dana Duncan How, who was a Pharmacist Mate in the United States Navy stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. They were married on October 3, 1945 in Upper Darby. Their marriage produced three children – Elaine Ruth, Dana Robert and Constance Joy. Ruth and Dan moved to Keller, Texas in 1996 from Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

During her family rearing years, Ruth worked as the Associate Director of the College of General Studies, under Arleigh Hess, at the University of Pennsylvania. She worked for Teagle Realty in Daytona Beach, Florida; as a church secretary at Lansdowne Methodist Church in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania; as a travel agent in Southampton, Pennsylvania; as an administrative assistant at Quad Systems and the United States Naval Jet Propulsion Center in Trenton, New Jersey; and, during her retirement, she was an Admissions Clerk at Ephrata Hospital in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Ruth was a member of the Lansdowne Women's Club; a Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star, Morning Light Chapter #312 of Hatsboro, Pennsylvania; the Hurst Senior Center; a past member of the Bursey Road Senior Center; and past officer of the Oak Crest Women's Club.

In her leisure time she enjoyed bridge, pinochle, board games, travel, music, dancing (if there was a beat, she was moving). She especially cherished spending time with her close friends and family. She was a life-long Philadelphia Eagles fan and an avid animal lover. She had a fondness for dogs and supported the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Dan How; and Harry Ott, her companion for several years. She is survived by her children - Elaine (husband Layne) Fulps of Arlington, Texas; Bob (spouse Sis) How of North Richland Hills, Texas; Connie (husband Randy) Eich of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania; cousin George (wife Fran) Green of Burlington, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 1 soon-to-arrive great great granddaughter and numerous friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Ruth's name to Smithfield United Methodist Church, 6701 Smithfield Rd., North Richland Hills, Texas 76182; American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA); Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or your local animal shelter.

A Memorial Service for Ruth How is planned for Saturday, May 27, 3 p.m. at Smithfield United Methodist Church, 6701 Smithfield Rd., North Richland Hills, TX 76182.