Birth date: Dec 21, 1935 Death date: May 10, 2026
Ruth M. Dextraze, nee Cheleden, died peacefully on Mother’s Day, 10 May 2026 in Voorhees, New Jersey. Ruth was born 21 December 1935, the daughter of Charles and Anne Cheleden. She grew up in Philadelphia, and graduated from Ro Read Obituary
Dear Aunt Ruth,
I will always remember you, My Godmother, for your many Labors of
Love. From the day I was born, it became your mission to hand paint a picture of me as the star of my world for every birthday with a poem of words to live by. This collection you made for me in my early years I would reflect upon and treasure for a lifetime.
You exposed me to Nature's gifts and would host us Philly cousins and take us to the farms in NJ to pick strawberries, blueberries and green beans then show us what to do with them when we got home. I remember your blueberry pancakes and my favorite dish you made was your eggplant parm. Yum!
You were a whiz on the sewing machine, and your fabric collection was impressive. When it came to your sister Carol's 60th Birthday, we all collaborated and you constructed a One of a Kind "This is your Life Quilt."
I loved helping you and Dick weed your Collingswood Gardens and listen to your Get Away Adventures at your Pocono Cabin. You were so strong to unload an entire truck bed full of firewood. Another labor of Love that I can relate to as my husband Thom would call me his Lithuanian Farm hand, and I see where this spirit comes from. You loved being surrounded by the beauty of Nature with the birds and the bears. I'll always remember when I was a newly licensed driver how we drove together to Elkmont Tenn. with Christopher in the back of your Subaru like Thelma and Louise. It was the first time I experienced going 80mph behind the wheel on the open highway.
With gardening in mind, you made for me an apron to wear with pockets for my tools and I was wearing it all day the day before you passed, Mother's Day. And You made me a durable yellow travel bag handcrafted by Ruth Dextraze which I take on short trips. But the most fun thing we made together was those hypertufa planters molded in your backyard from peat moss and cement.
You have been the most inspiring example of one who embraces the Nature around and shares the abundance it provides with the ones you Love. You dappled in making your own fermented spirits from fruit with success! Your nurturing spirit and attempts to try something new is a quality I admire on and intend to carry on.
May your loving spirit be received and guided as it is reunited with your family and friends that have journeyed before us. And as I will miss you, I know I will see you again one day.
Love Your Goddaughter, Cammy
I am always going to remember Ruth for her sense of humor. Every morning she says something to make my day better. I would ask, “How are you mom?” And she would say, “I’m fine and dandy like a piece of candy.” I will always remember her, my Ruthie.
