Ruth (Gandolfo) McCrystal-Wiedemann of Deer Park, N.Y., and West Milford, N.J., passed away peacefully due to COVID-19 at Care One Madison, Morristown, N.J., on Tuesday, April 21. She ws 94.
Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband James K. McCrystal, and second husband Warren Wiedemann, with both of whom she spent many happy years.
She is survived by her daughters Patricia McCrystal Jones and her husband Gary of Morris Plains, N.J., Janet Penzero and her husband Nick of Montauk, N..Y, and Doreen McCrystal of Coram, N.Y.; her son James K. McCrystal Jr. and his wife Martha of West Covina, Californiz; granddaughters Allison Smith of Newark, N.J., Lauren Mahana and her husband Doug of New York City, Emily Moy and her husband Jeff of the Bronx, N.Y., Erin Wagner and her husband Eric of Chino Hills, California; grandsons Michael Smith and his wife Caitlin of Morristown, N.Y., and Evan Carter of Orange County, California; great-granddaughters Reagan, Joslynne, Brenna Smith of Morristown, N.J., Rosalind and Lillian Mahana of New York City, Enna Moy of the Bronx, N.Y. and Kayden Sanchez of Chino Hills, California. She leaves many other family members and friends who will greatly miss her.
Ruth was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. of Italian immigrant parents, Vincenzo and Michela Gandolfo, along with her brothers and sisters. She worked as a telephone operator for New York Bell Telephone company where her friend introduced her to her brother-in-law, Jim. They were married in Brooklyn and moved to Long Island with their young children to start life in the suburbs.
Ruth raised her children and worked as the office manager at a local physician’s practice. She enjoyed the health care field and began a career at Good Samaritan Hospital’s community health center in Wyandanch, N.Y. Ruth was the head of medical records until her retirement.
Ruth loved to dance. She joined the Arthur Murray dance studio with a friend and met Warren while taking lessons. Several years later, they married after her retirement and shared two wonderful years together before his death.
Ruth was an active member of the Rosary Society at her local Catholic Churches for most of her life. She taught catechism at Queen of Peace, West Milford, N.J., and became a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Parish, West Milford, N.J., until she could no longer drive.
She was a member of West Milford Lions Club for several years. She enjoyed serving the community and parish.
Ruth was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor. She was a great cook and loved to teach her sons-in-law how to make manicotti shells from scratch. She enjoyed knitting, reading, watching old movies, CNN, and the New York Yankees, as well as backyard bird watching – especially cardinals and hummingbirds.
She loved to play with her grandchildren when they were young and embraced every moment as they grew and had families of their own. She lived a life of love.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Milford at another time.
Arrangements by Richards Funeral Home.