Ruth Lee Dix's Obituary
Ruth Lee Dix, 80, passed away on Thursday November 30 at the Ann Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Md after a 2 year battle with cancer.
Ruth is survived by her husband Gil of 57 years, her son Stephen and Stephen’s wife Kristan.
Ruth was born in Louisville, Ky 8/4/1943, the daughter of Edwin Schaefer and Dorothy (Meihaus) Schaefer. She attended Assumption High School. She also attended the University of Louisville where she met Gil. Gil and Ruth married in 1966 and enjoyed 57 years of a wonderful marriage filled with love and a lot of landscaping projects. They moved to Maryland in 1967. They lived in an apartment in Laurel for a few years and then built their first home in Gambrills in 1970. They built their present home in Annapolis in 1989.
Ruth continued her studies and received a BS degree Summa Cum Laude in Horticulture from the University of Maryland. She was also a member of Pi Kappa Phi and Pi Alpha Xi honorary societies.
Ruth worked as a horticulturist at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Md but spent most of her career at the National Arboretum in Washington DC. While at the Arboretum she did the hybridization work for the programs developing many varieties of Viburnum and Crape Myrtle with increased disease and insect resistance suitable for the urban and suburban environment.
Additionally, Ruth contributed valuable insights into the long term evaluation of plants being considered for release into the industry. One of her favorite projects was her involvement in propagating the replacement Cherry Trees at the Washington DC Tidal Basin. She retired from the Arboretum in 2005. Every time we see the blossoms of a Cherry Tree we will be reminded of Ruth.
In addition to plants, Ruth loved knitting and besides knitting her own wedding dress produced, countless sweaters, blankets and Afghans for family and friends.
Ruth loved nature and donated generously to the Nature Conservancy and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Please support these organizations in lieu of flowers.
For more information regarding Ruth's Celebration of Life, please email [email protected] for details.
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