Ruth Jane Humen

Palm Coast Observer
Tributes & Obituaries

Ruth Jane Humen
September 10, 1935 – March 11, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Ruth Jane Humen, 87, announces her unexpected but peaceful passing at the Stuart Meyer Hospice Center in Palm Coast, FL on March 11, 2023. She is at rest with her Lord after an eight year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Ruth “Ruthie” was born in Morristown, NJ to Andrew Wallace and Grace Keating (nee Thompson) Cowan on September 10, 1935. She married twice, first to Theodore Ostapko and then Nicholas Humen. She was the proud mother to 6 children: Laura Grace Ostapko, Roy A.Ostapko (Dewi), Nicholas Humen (Ann), Laura Mary DeMerritt (Tom), Rebecca Humen and John Humen (Cindy).

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Nicholas Humen and daughter, Rebecca Humen. She is survived by an ever growing family of 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In 2005 she moved with her daughter, Laura Grace, to Palm Coast, FL to be closer to her only sister, Peg Anderson (Russ) and her son, Roy (Laura Ann).

Ruth held a variety of jobs from professional dress maker and seamstress, to clerk and bookkeeper but her most passionate job was always her role as a homemaker and mother.

Ruth held a variety of jobs from professional dress maker and seamstress, to clerk and bookkeeper but her most passionate job was always her role as a homemaker and mother. If she wasn’t cooking or baking, she was in her gardens creating her sanctuaries. When she retired to Palm Coast she brought her gardening skills to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park as a volunteer at the “plant bench”. She lived in New Jersey, California and Florida and traveled extensively in the Middle East and Europe with her husband Nick.

Sometimes in the process of the disease it becomes necessary for a committed team to care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Ruth’s family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of Grand Villa of Palm Coast who was devoted to providing Ruth with a safe haven and caring home in her last months. They truly became extended family.

Ruth will be missed by her family, neighbors and friends and remembered for her kind and gentle ways. Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family. A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be conducted at a later date in Morristown, NJ.