Ruthann Gilbert Goeyvaerts

Ruthann Goeyvaerts, 82, of Millwood, Virginia, formerly of Pinnebog, passed into eternal life after receiving the last sacraments of the Catholic church on Thursday, July 21, 2022.

She was born on May 6, 1940 in Pinnebog, Michigan to the late Frank and Florence (Bushey) Gilbert. Ruthann graduated from Elkton High School in 1958 and then moved to Detroit. She worked for the National Bank of Detroit in the trust department and met Frank Goeyvaerts, also working in the trust department, and were married on June 30, 1962 at St. Roch Catholic Church in Caseville by the Reverend Frank Van Hout, the groom’s uncle. Ruthann has been a member of both St. Roch and St. Felix in Pinnebog for many years. Ruthann during her marriage had been a proud lifelong homemaker, a devoted mother, wife and grandmother. She was a devout Catholic. She was a long time Girl Scout leader. She volunteered for many of her children’s school functions. She lived in many US cities as well as abroad (Grand Rapids, San Diego, Houston, Washington D.C., London, England, and Atlanta, Georgia) during her marriage. Through this, she was the glue that kept her family of three children strong in their faith, as well as supporting them in their life’s goals. Ruthann was a gourmet cook, and was an expert gardener. She was impeccable about the maintenance of her homes and was a follower of the latest styles of clothing in vogue. She doted on her eight grandchildren and was the perfect hostess to her many friends and family. Through her many travels, she never forgot her roots in Huron County, Michigan. She made sure that she traveled back to Michigan several times per year so that she could impart the values to her children and grandchildren of where she grew up as well as to better know the extended family. She loved her many pets and her feathered friends.

Ruthann was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Frank; children Elizabeth Wilson of Dallas, Georgia-Frank Goeyvaerts (Christine) of Allen Texas, and Bridget Overcash (Timothy) of Millwood, Virginia; eight grandchildren: Jimmy Overcash of Bethesda, Maryland, Sarah Overcash of Tampa, Florida, Danny Overcash of Baltimore, Maryland, Frankie and Jacob Goeyvaerts of Allen, Texas, Caelan and Luke Wilson of Dallas, Georgia and Timothy Overcash of Millwood, Virginia; her brother John Gilbert (April) of Traverse City, Gerald Gilbert (Margaret) of Bay City, brother and sister-in-law Ron and Marylyn Goeyvaerts of San Jose, California, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Yolanda Julien of Sterling Heights. She was beloved by her many nieces and nephews and friends.

A memorial mass will be 10:00am Saturday, August 13th at St. Felix Catholic Church, 3515 Limerick Road, Kinde with the Rev. George Amos presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Friends and family will begin gathering at 9:00am Saturday at the church.

The family wishes to thank the nurse and aides at Blue Ridge Hospice of Winchester, Virginia for their kindness and care during her last days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Blue Ridge Hospice Care of Winchester, Virginia. 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405 Winchester, Virginia 22601