On Saturday, February 21st, our beloved friend, Josephine Ruff passed away. "Mom", as she was lovingly known to us at ALC, was a great friend and encouragement to us all. Her exuberance in worshiping her Lord was evident, and we will truly miss hearing her proclaim, "Thank God for Jesus!". We all will contiue though, to thank God for Josephine and we are comforted in knowing that she is now thanking God in person!

Josephine Ruff Obituary

Josephine Effie Galashaw was born in Charleston, South Carolina on August 28, 1926 to William and Celia. Her older siblings were William and Elizabeth.

She lived with her family in Summerville, South Carolina until age 3. The family then moved to the Bronx, NY. After she completed hign school the family moved to Harlem at 476 West 144th St and Amsterdam Ave. While there she attended the NY School of Nursing and achieved her Registered Nurse degree. Her nursing career allowed her to work in prominent New York City hospitals such as: Harlem, Belleview, Metropolitan and Mt. Sinai.

Josephine met Merchant Marine Carl Martindale in New York City. Together they had her first born Kathleen in 1947. Later on, Josephine met Henry Lee Ruff in Staten Islan, NY. The two were married in 1952 on St. Patrick's Day. Joslyn was born in January 1954. The family of four moved to California in 1959. The following year, Josephine and Henry separated. Seth was born to Josephine in New York City at the conclusion of her cross country trek in 1960.

Josephine moved the family from Harlem, New York to Roosevelt, Long Island in 1965. She was very independent and excited to purchase her first home. While in Roosevelt, Josephine worked two full-time nursing positions at Grumman Aerospace and Holly Peterson Nursing Home.

Anthony joined the family in 1980. While living in Roosevelt, Josephine participated in the Little Flower Foster Parent Program, providing a family setting for Vietnamese refugees adapting into the United States culture. She was a foster parent to Sunny, Qui, Tram, Mai, Thi, Huu, Hung, Anh, Lien, Lan, Huy, Van, Kiel, Kim Ngoc and Tre during their high school and young adult years.

In the late 70's, Josephine and other family members purchased land in Hudson, Maine. Josephine moved to Hudson in 1999 to enjoy her retirement.

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