Ruth Lawson Bentley of Pasadena, CA, formerly of Cumberland, RI, passed away on November 8, 2024.
Ruth was born in Providence, RI, on December 23, 1951, to Harry O. and Dorothy F. (Bassett) Bentley.
Ruth graduated from Cumberland High School; studied mechanical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston and liberal arts at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire; received a degree in sociology from Roger Williams College in Rhode Island; and completed a graduate management course at Regis University. She worked as an analyst and technical writer for various industrial firms, including Materion Technical Materials Co. in Rhode Island and Hydro-Mill Co. in California. Later, Ruth moved to education, teaching business and computer courses for the Los Angeles Community Colleges and teaching ESL classes in the workplace.
Ruth’s passions were singing, piano, ballroom dancing, hiking, and Bible study. She performed in the choirs of the Los Angeles Camerata Orchestra and the California Philharmonic. She was ordained as a Christian minister in 2007 by the Centre for the Study of Biblical Research.
Ruth was devoted to volunteer work. She was a participant in the Kairos and Epiphany prison ministries and served the Red Cross in their disaster relief efforts.
Ruth joins her parents, Harry and Dorothy, older brother Harry J. Bentley, and nephew Brian J. Bentley. She is survived by brothers William J. Bentley (Karen Dykma) of North Attleboro, MA, and David F. (Kathleen) Bentley of Warwick, RI; sister Dale F. Bentley of Moultonborough, NH; sister-in-law Eleanor G. Bentley of Jupiter, FL; many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nephews; and the love of her life, Jerry Sider of Pasadena.
Ruth was cremated on November 21. Family and friends are invited to attend one of two services: Saturday, February 1 at 3:00 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 120 Nate Whipple Hwy., Cumberland, RI; or Sunday, February 9 at 11:30 AM, after the morning service at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1118 Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Pasadena, CA; Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cumberland, RI; the Kairos Prison Ministry; or the Red Cross.