Doris Ruth Fisher McDermott, "Ruth" as she preferred to be called, beloved wife of Glenn Wilson McDermott mother of Angie, Patrick, Michael, Kelley, and Julie, passed from her earthly life on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at  Arbor Trace Senior Living. Ruth was born in Vincennes, Indiana on June 7, 1937, to Lawrence and Doris Neva Fisher. Her older sister, Rose Marie, was thirteen years older than Ruth. She was a "daddy's girl" in her youth, where she developed the independent streak that would be a hallmark of her character for the rest of her life. While attending Vincennes University, she met and began dating Glenn McDermott who had recently returned to Washington, IN from service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Married on February 4, 1955, Glenn and Ruth began a journey of love and devotion that would endure for sixty-eight years.

Ruth was a loving and devoted wife to Glenn. From the beginning of their marriage, and well into their sixty-eight years together, they always made time for date nights. Elegant and beautiful, she loved to dress "to the nines" and go with Glenn for an evening out of dinner, dancing, and socializing with friends. She was equally comfortable and beautiful, however, in a bathing suit in the water at Lake George or a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, spending time at her home in the peaceful hills of Brown County, among the flowers and wildlife that she loved so much. She had an infectious smile, an unmistakable laugh, and a joyful sense of fun. She also possessed a withering look that her children knew well and tried not to experience. They were blessed with a mom who loved them unconditionally, yet also had high expectations of them. She raised her children to be strong and independent, but also with a deep sense of responsibility to care for others.

While raising her five young children, Ruth returned to college, first completing her Bachelor of Science degree and then a Master of Arts degree in elementary education. Ruth's dream of attaining her degrees and becoming a teacher was encouraged and supported by the generosity and love of her dear friend, Jo Lucas, who helped care for the McDermott kids while Glenn was working and Ruth was traveling back and forth to school. Through her example, Ruth taught her children the importance of hard work, persistence, integrity, and service to others. For more than two decades, she taught early elementary students at Centerville Elementary School, with a brief assignment at
Rose Hamilton Elementary. When she retired from teaching, she left the classroom for new adventures with Glenn and her family, but she carried with her the legacy of love for "her kids" and the joy of learning that she instilled in her former students.

Throughout her life, Ruth possessed a deep and abiding faith in the Lord that uplifted and sustained her through the joys, sorrows, and challenges of life. In 1980, she experienced what no parent should do, the death of her beloved son Patrick. She survived cancer, not once, but twice. In her later years, she lovingly cared for Glenn following his stroke. She was determined that he would come home and that they would continue their life of love and devotion together. Even after dementia began to take Ruth away from the life she and Glenn shared, she never lost the essence of the love she shared with him and for her children. Though she lost the ability to call Glenn by name, when
he would visit her, she always took his face gently in her hands and said to him, "I have loved you for so long!" Her affection for her children was the same, always a hug, a kiss, a pat, and an "I love you!" In October, Glenn moved to Arbor Trace to once again be with the love of his life. Sharing three precious months, Glenn and Ruth once again were able to sit together holding hands, hug each other, exchange kisses, and be
present with each other in the love that they shared "for so long." St. Francis is quoted as saying, "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." Ruth's faith was not loud and demonstrative, but quiet and ever-present. Her life of love, sacrifice, and service, to her family and others, was a testament to her profound and abiding love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ruth is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years, Glenn Wilson McDermott. She also leaves behind her four children, Angie Parker, Michael McDermott (Kim), Julie Marcum (Tim), and Kelley McDermott (Jenny). Ruth and Glenn are also blessed with
seven grandchildren, Kirsten Phillips (Scott), Justin Parker (Leslie), Ryan Parker (Danielle), Alexis Maitlen (Jeff), Kylie Thomas (Josh), Sean McDermott (Kennedy), and Chayce McDermott (Lauren). Ruth's family also includes thirteen great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents Lawrence and Doris Neva Fisher, sister Rose Marie Christie, son Patrick Kevin McDermott, and son-in-law Ted Anthony Parker.

Funeral services for Ruth will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024, at StegallBerheide-Orr Funeral Home, with Deacon Jim Miller officiating. Burial will be in St.Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In remembrance of Ruth's life, her family asks that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or to Covenant House to provide safe housing for young people experiencing homelessness. Online Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com. com.