Ruth was a genuinely good person.

From the moment we met in high school, I remember her kindness. And as a disabled kid who didn’t feel too good about himself, finding kind people was essential.

Over our high school years, her kind soul continued to shine through. She’d write me letters when I was in the hospital having yet another shunt revision. She’d call the hospital and talk to my mom to see how I was doing. She’d give the biggest hugs when I’d come back. Her smile and her laugh, the way she’d call me “Gabrielie”, watching her perform in “Fiddler” and “Flowers for Algernon” night after night.

A lotta good memories over those 4 years.

We were inseparable the summer after high school. She and I and a couple other friends, “thick as thieves” as they say. Spending random weekdays and many weekends together. Going to movies, going to the park, hanging out at each other’s homes. Terrified of what the future would bring. Wondering if we’d still keep in touch in college or whatever our plans were.

And we did. For a couple years in college, we still kept in touch. We wrote letters. I’d drive up to UNC and hang out. She’d come down here, and our little friend group would do something. We stayed close.

And then, well, and then we weren’t.

Years later tho, after growing and learning more about myself, understanding how wrong I was, I said some stuff, she said some stuff, and to no one’s surprise, she showed grace and forgiveness. We never regained what we had, never had that closeness again, but I’m grateful for what we did regain.

It was lovely to see updates on her boys on Facebook. She loved her boys and her husband. She was so proud of her sons. It was always “Paul Joshua did” this and “Isaiah completed” that.

She loved her husband, she loved her boys, and she loved God. Her faith was strong. She loved the Lord and inspired so many people with her faith. From Day One, 14 years old in high school, I could see her love of God and admired how she found great comfort in her faith.

My heart goes out to her husband, Wayne, to her boys, and to everyone who loves her and will miss her so much.

Kischa has her own memories of her dear friend. Singing in choir together, sitting together on the bus while sharing laughs on the way to various choir shows. And having Sunday service at a friend’s home, with Ruth’s dad giving the sermon. She will always carry those memories with her.

Thank you for being you. Thank you for the kindness, humor, laughter, and grace you always showed me.

Thank you for your example of Christ’s love.

May your family and friends find comfort in the fact that you are with Him.

I leave you now with this song. The summer we were “thick as thieves” she and another best friend of ours were hanging out at my house, all of us struggling with what the future held, and she had a surprise for us. A serenade of sorts. She had the music on cassette (it was 1994!) to two songs, each specific to each of us, and she sang this song to me. She had a beautiful singing voice, as anyone who knew her will tell you, and she sang Mariah Carey’s “Hero” to me. It was a reminder to believe in myself. A reminder to not be so hard on myself. That I can get through things. That I had already gotten through a lot in high school, so many surgeries, complications from those surgeries, whatever else, and that I could get through other things. I can be my own hero. She believed in me, and helped me believe in myself.

It meant a lot that day and, sitting here thinking about it, it still means a lot that she cared enough to try to help me believe in myself.

Thank you for that, my friend.

(Tis been a lifelong struggle. But I’ll never forget that 30+ years ago she cared enough to try ❤️)

I am so grateful we reconnected and I will miss you, but I will always have the memories. ❤️💔

              Suzanna Ruth Simon, née Zal
December 18, 1975 – December 31, 2025