Ruth D. Bowen-Smith

On Thursday, August 2nd Ruth D. Bowen-Smith, 60, of Morehead City, NC, passed away at Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, NC after a 4-month battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

The family will be having two Celebration of Life services for Rudi. The first service will be Friday, September 7th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge in Saratoga Springs, NY. The second service will be Saturday, October 13th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Southern Salt in Morehead City, NC. At both events the family requests guests come dressed both comfortably and casually.

Rudi, as she was known to her friends, is survived by her husband of 30 years, Robert L. Smith, Jr., and her sons Zachary David Smith and Craig James Smith of Saratoga Springs, NY. She is also survived by her mother Kathleen D. Bowen of Telford, PA, brother Stephen J. Bowen (Barbara) and their children, Stephanie (Mark), Clinton (Paige), Ethan and brother David W. Bowen (Suzanne) and their child London. She was predeceased by her father James A. Bowen.

Rudi graduated West Chester University, West Chester, PA. in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She also graduated SUNY Adirondack, Queensbury, NY in 2001 with an Associate’s of Science in Nursing. Rudi was a police officer with the Cheltenham Police Dept. in Cheltenham, PA from 1978 to 1984. She also worked as a Special Investigator for Nationwide Mutual Insurance in Broad Axe, PA from 1987 thru 1988, where she met her husband Robert. In 1988, she moved to upstate NY, working various part time jobs to allow her to focus on her greatest joy, her children. During this period, she joined the Wilton EMS squad, so she could fulfill her need to serve her community. It was here that she found her true calling and enrolled at SUNY Adirondack to become a Registered Nurse. Never one to back away from a challenge, Rudi worked as a technician in the Saratoga Hospital Emergency Room while completing her schooling. Upon passing her nursing boards, she received her Registered Nursing certification in 2001, starting her first RN position as an ER nurse in Saratoga Hospital’s Emergency Department, in Saratoga Springs, NY. In early 2014, Rudi decided it was time to pursue her dreams to live at the beach (as well as escape winter) and she took a leap of faith, moving to Morehead City, NC where she accepted a job as an Operating Room Nurse at Carteret Care where she stayed until July of 2015. She left, joining Healthfirst where she did managed care. This position allowed her the ability to work from NY and PA, all while providing her with the flexibility to spend more time with her loved ones that she cherished the most.

Rudi had a special zeal for life. She had an infectious laugh and smile that lit up the room when she entered. Her joy for life was contagious to everyone around her. She was driven to give back to those around her and was always the first to volunteer to help others, whether it was neighbors, friends, co-workers, or complete strangers. She was serving as the Secretary of the Cedarwood Village HOA, in her neighborhood that she loved so dearly. She particularly loved talking to all her neighbors while walking her dog Dewey and spending time at the CWV pool. She also loved going to the beach where her mantra was, “Toes in the sand, book in the hand”. Rudi loved sitting at the beach listening to the waves and reading one of her many books.

Celebration of Life services will be held in Morehead City, NC and Wilton, NY at a date still to be determined.

In lieu of flowers the family requests Rudi be remembered with gifts to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org) or Martha’s Mission Cupboard 901 Bay St Morehead City, NC. 28557

Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City, NC.