The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Obituary
PUBLISHED: May 16, 2007
Ruth Burgess Arnold
Chelsea (formerly of Dexter)
Ruth Harkins Burgess Arnold of Chelsea and formerly of Dexter died May 16, 2007 at the Chelsea Retirement Community. She was 95.
She was born Nov. 14, 1911, the daughter of Alonzo and Jane Harkins Burgess. She was raised in Connecticut until the age of 12 when her parents moved to Detroit, where she met her future husband, Rha Arnold. They were married on June 13, 1933 in Detroit. They both worked for the YMCA in Detroit and then in Chicago where their daughters, Judy and Nancy were born. They returned to Michigan where Bill was born and then the family moved to the farm west of Dexter that Rha had inherited from his grandfather, William H. Arnold.
Once in Dexter, the family became active in the Methodist Church. Mrs. Arnold used her musical talents to become the choir director and she used her piano playing to accompany the singers and the congregation. She played piano by ear and could play almost any song she had ever heard.
Ruth and Rha owned two Hallmark Card stores; the Mt. Vernon Shop on Washington Street in Ann Arbor, and Arnold's Gifts in downtown Dexter. She enjoyed creating decorations for parties, and when they lived in Florida during the winters, she continued to share her creative skills. She also began teaching line dancing while there and also taught in Dexter at various places.
In December 1999, Mrs. Arnold moved to the Chelsea Retirement Community and regularly played piano there. She often played during the dinner hour at the various dining areas as well as for special occasions.
Her parents and her husband, Rha Arnold (died July 16, 1981) preceded Ruth in death. She is survived by her children: Judith (Charles) Connelly, Nancy (Harlan) Van Blaricum and William (Carol Miller) Arnold. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Jeff Connelly, Darcy Connelly, Maura Connelly, Meghan (Randy Roberts) Connelly, Bryan (Danyelle) Van Blaricum, Heidi Madias, Kelly (Alex) Young, Julie (Joseph) Nowak and Susan (James) Cormier. She greatly loved her 14 great grandchildren and hoped to see her newest great grandson, Samuel, who is due in July.
The family wishes to thank Arbor Hospice staff and Independence Agency staff for their care and support. Special thanks to the staff and friends at CRC who gave so much love and care to Ruth over the years. You all made her transition so much easier.
Visitation was held at Hosmer-Muehlig Funeral Home and the Funeral was at Dexter United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Dexter.
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