We had a glorious fourth this year,
A very special celebration,
A Yankee-Doodle stork appeared,
With a tiny new creation.
Fourth of July, 1928 began the life of Beatrice Louise Ruhf Ake.
She passed away quietly July 20, 2017, after a fall during one of her daily walks. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Anne Ruhf of Pepper Pike (Cleveland) and her brother, Captain Harry Ruhf, USA army (retired). She is survived by Ted, her loving husband of nearly 67 years, as well as children Diane and James Saul; Theodore and Valorie Ake; David Ake and Kendee Franklin; and Stuart Ake and Shelley Okimoto, as well as five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Bea graduated as a registered nurse from St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland and later became a realtor in Chicago, Connecticut and Virginia, retiring from Townside Realtors in Blacksburg, where she received the first “Ethics in Business Award” from the local Real Estate Board. She also received a citation from the League of Women Voters for fifty years of service, including two terms as president of the Meriden, Connecticut chapter. She regularly served as a shopper’s guide at the Montgomery County Christmas Store and received honors for most volunteer hours with the Carillion Hospice Organization.
Bea was the perfect hostess and wonderful cook and baker. Although we had never stayed in a B & B, she conceived Bea‘s Bed and Breakfast. Bea loved music and studied and played piano. She was a tournament bridge player (now playing for “After-Life Master” points). Her favorite recreation was playing penny and nickel slot machines. On arrival at the casino parking garage she presented bags of her delicious cookies to the valet parker, bellmen, and desk clerks. She quickly became the “Cookie Lady” who thought nothing of baking up a thousand or more for a bridge tournament or for charity. She shared her love of flowers and plants by delivering poinsettias—as many as fifty or sixty—each year around the holidays. Above all, she loved people. And if you weren’t “Miss Bea’s” friend, it was because you hadn’t met “Miss Bea.”
Services for Bea will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
