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Mona Ruoff, 72, of Peninsula, died Wednesday, May 28, 2003, at home, with members of her family surrounding her. She had battled valiantly with a longtime illness.
Mrs. Ruoff was born in Cambridge, Ohio, and graduated from Boston Township High School in Peninsula. She attended Ohio University and Syracuse University. Mona wished to see the world and she did just that. For 25 years, together with her husband and their daughters, she lived in seven countries. She taught English to Buddhist monks in Laos, cared for war orphans in Saigon, directed plays in Turkey and Vietnam, and was the embassy personnel officer in Mali. While doing those activities and more, her primary concern was the health, education, and welfare of her four daughters.
Mona did not stop her active life after returning from overseas as she worked in administration at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and published a book of Vietnamese folk stories. The proceeds from her book went to assist refugees from Southeast Asia. Following retirement and returning to Peninsula, she continued her effort to help others. She taught Sunday School, worked as a guardian ad litem in Akron, and served on the board of the Peninsula Library.
Mona is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jay, and daughters, Lees Ruoff of Youngstown, Kim Lyon (Dennis) of Peninsula, Jamie Strong (Howard) of Houston, Texas, Claire Karaz (Suleyman) of Istanbul, Turkey. Her grandchildren, Dale Strong, Jaena Strong, and Tess Hallinan, knew their grandmother as "Didi," and she loved them dearly. Other close family members are brother, Larry Seeley (Katie) of Washington, D.C., and sisters, Kay Hoffman (Dale) of Lexington, Ky., Linda Seeley (Michael) of San Luis Obispo, Calif.
A memorial service will be held at the Peninsula United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2003, with Rev. Lea Mahan officiating. Memorials may be made to the Peninsula United Methodist Church, 1575 Main St., Peninsula, Ohio 44264. Johnson-Romito Funeral Home in Hudson, Ohio, is in charge of the arrangements (330-650-4181).
Published in the Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - Sunday, June 1, 2003, page B11
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