Ruth Ann Gribbin

After college, President Kennedy awarded Ruth Ann a grant to attend Smith College where she received and earned her master’s degree in deaf education. A telegram was later sent to Ruth Ann asking her to become a teacher at the New Jersey School for the Deaf. She taught at the school for five years and went on to become the Director of Admissions and retired after twenty-eight years. Ruth Ann and her husband, Jon, volunteered for Meals on Wheels of Mercer County, NJ, and the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center in McKeesport, PA.

She was devoted to preserving and maintaining the historic 1867 Sanctuary in Ewing, NJ. Ruth Ann was the Sanctuary’s Anonymous Seraphim Angel – the single largest donor to Preservation New Jersey’s 1867 Sanctuary Committee and to the Friends of the 1867 Sanctuary. Her donations provided most of the support for the Sanctuary for over ten years. In addition to her generous donations, Ruth Ann volunteered countless hours, providing refreshments for all the Sanctuary events and beautiful decorations for each season. Most of all, she aspired to ensure that visitors were in awe of the beauty of the Sanctuary as much as she was.

Ruth Ann is survived by her husband of forty-three years, Jon F. Gribbin of Ewing, NJ; and her brother, John S. Thomson of White Oak, PA.

In addition to her parents, Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her brother, William Thomson.

A family gathering and services officiated by Pastor Ray Beard took place on Friday, January 30, 2026. A burial followed at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Elizabeth Township, PA. Arrangements were cared for by Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177).

Should friends desire, memorial contributions in Ruth Ann’s name may be made to the following organizations; for those who reside in the Ewing, NJ vicinity the suggested places are, The 1867 Sanctuary, 101 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 or Meals on Wheels of Mercer County, NJ, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing, NJ 08638. For those who reside in the White Oak/McKeesport, PA vicinity the suggested places for contributions are, Jamies Dream Team, 4617 Walnut Street, McKeesport, PA 15132 or the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center, 1832 Arboretum Drive, McKeesport, PA 15132.

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com