Hood—Ruth Anne Schoonmaker Hood, 93, on January 3, 2024, peacefully after a brief illness while surrounded by her family at Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro, N.C. Ruth Anne was born on July 28, 1930, the seventh child of Esther Head Cadbury and Robert Selleck Schoonmaker, in South Amherst, Mass. Esther was of Philadelphia Quaker background. Ruth Anne grew up on a farm in South Amherst. She graduated from Amherst High School in 1947 and enrolled at Oberlin College in Ohio, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Her Quaker heritage and a work trip sponsored by American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) during the summer of 1949 inspired Ruth Anne’s lifelong interest in peace and social justice work.
While at Oberlin, Ruth Anne met Malcolm Woodhams Hood. They married on August 24, 1951. The family moved around to accommodate Malcom’s career. Kathryn, their first child, was born in 1954 while living in Dearborn, Mich. They welcomed sons James in 1957 and Stephen the following year. Son David came along in 1962 just as Malcolm completed arthritis therapy in Warm Springs, Ga.
Settling in Miami Springs, Fla., Ruth Anne was a homemaker and Malcom’s caregiver due to his severe rheumatoid arthritis. She also worked as a teacher assistant and later as the Christian education director in the nearby Methodist church where the family was heavily involved. Ruth Anne also attended a Quaker meeting and an informal AFSC group that was active in opposing the war in Vietnam. She spoke out against school segregation and advocated for busing. In 1969, their youngest son, Alan, was born. Ruth Anne worked as a teacher in preschool and later as director of an after school program to supplement their income.
When the time came, daughter Kate was led to seek a Quaker college due largely to her mother’s stories, wisdom, and example. In 1972, Kate entered Guilford College. A few years later, sons Jim and David followed their sister there.
Malcolm died suddenly in 1982 due to complications from his rheumatoid arthritis. Feeling a connection to Greensboro after visiting her children at Guilford numerous times, Ruth Anne and son Alan moved there to be with family and the Guilford Quaker community. She worked as a teacher assistant at Guilford Primary School for the next ten years.
Ruth Anne’s involvement in the life of New Garden Meeting was constant and strong. She was particularly active on the Peace and Social Concerns Committee. She served on the Newsletter Committee and as the meeting’s librarian for many years. After her retirement, Ruth Anne became the docent coordinator of the Friends Historical Collection at Guilford College, where she volunteered for 24 years. Ruth Anne moved to Friends Homes in Greensboro in 2009, where she enjoyed cherished friendships, working in the library, and serving on the House and Grounds Committee.
She loved her garden and being with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, music, and travel, and loved watching old movies. Ruth Anne was also a knitter. She donated many hats, mittens, and scarves to the Material Aid Program of AFSC.
Ruth Anne was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Malcolm Hood; her six siblings and their spouses; two nephews; and one grandson.
She is survived by five children, Kate Seel (Roger), Jim Hood (Sara Beth Terrell), Stephen Hood (Mary), David Hood (Pam), and Alan Hood (Erica Martin); seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
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