Ruth Livingston Dady

Ruth Livingston Dady, 83, of Saint Petersburg, Florida, went home to the Lord with family by her side on July 13, 2022, following an extended illness. Ruth was born in Moline, Illinois on April 30, 1939, to the late Irving and Virginia Livingston. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister Donna Witikka. Ruth will always be remembered as a loving and kind daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had the gift of being able to encourage those around her to achieve more than they thought possible! Ruth’s loyalties ran deep; she was generous with her time, talents, and treasures! Ruth never shied away when someone was in need. Ruthe (she was and always will be Ruth with an “e” to her sisters) came into this world with a strong sense of purpose, determination, and independence — and with big brown eyes and beautiful reddish brown hair. She was one of six girls — her oldest and youngest sisters were twins. After their father passed away unexpectedly in 1951, and, as the girls matured, the Livingston house in Moline became a gathering place for a bastion of women. Friends from those long-gone days still remember how much they loved hanging out at the Livingston’s. After graduating from St. Katharine’s School in 1957 where she formed a long and lasting friendship, Ruth briefly attended the University of Arizona before marrying and starting a family. She assisted as a legal secretary for her husband and helped run their laundromat business. In the 1970s, at a time when women were beginning to enter into the management and administration workforce, Ruth boldly set out to break the ceiling in Food Service Management. Ruth always yearned for sunny days at the beach, and, in 1979, she relocated with her children to Clearwater, Florida. Ruth was excited when the opportunity arose to join the Marriott team, and she continued to rise up in positions with the corporation for twentythree years. She was a determined and accomplished Food Service Administrator and won their Southeast Award three years in a row. As her children grew, Ruth instilled in them her strong work ethic, and she helped them to set goals and to achieve success. Ruth also gave of herself to her grandchildren — she was there to help them discover their dreams and to bring those dreams to fruition! Ruth enjoyed fun times with her family and friends, but she also spent time volunteering. She served on the Altar Guild at St. David’s Episcopalian Church in Wellington, Florida. She volunteered at a handful of soup kitchens and pantries for the poor and at the Pinellas County Public Library. She also made calls for her favorite political candidates! Those left to cherish her memory include her loving children Tim Spero (Deb) and Virginia Mears; four sisters Jackie Pickus, Jill Newman (Ed), Elizabeth Hogan, and Diane Sheptak (Ron); four grandchildren Andrew Dady, Angela Whitehead, Zachary Whitehead, and Dylan Spero. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Avenue N., Saint Petersburg, Florida, with Very Rev. Emery N. Longanga PH.D., VF, as the celebrant

Ruth Livingston Dady

April 30, 1939 - July 13, 2022