Ruth Elizabeth Burlingame Schwab Georgiou was born in rural Delaware in 1922. She was the 6th of 10 siblings. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Anne Arbor and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. She served as a social worker in many capacities, from placing orphans in Germany after WWII to working in Home Health Care for seniors and the Lighthouse for the Blind.
She moved with her husband Matheos Georgiou from Long Beach, New York to Tarpon Springs, Florida in 1972 where they raised 3 daughters: Eleni, Diana and Theordora. As well as being a loving mother she was grandmother to Dale, Kristen, Theory, Kelly, Kevin and Matthew and great grandmother to Bryton, Hunter, Mathew and Mackenzie.
After her social work career, at age 80 she tutored grade school children for 10 years. Ruth moved to Dunedin at age 90 after finally retiring where she enjoyed living at Mease Manor for 8 years. She was involved in writing classes, leading a poetry corner and many other activities there and with her family. She moved to Orlando with her daughter in April 2020 where she enjoyed being cared for by all 3 daughters.
Ruth was a faithful Jehovah Witness for over 30 years. She served in the Tarpon Springs Kingdom Hall until 2012 and then the Dunedin Congregation since then. She lived a long and healthy life. She loved to play games with friends and family, was always up for an adventure, traveled whenever she could, and was an accomplished writer. And above all, she was always involved in helping people wherever she could.
In lieu of flowers a gift can be made to her beloved charity
Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida
https://childrensburnfoundationoffl.com/donations/donations/
wendy scruggs
May 31, 2021, 7:41 pm
I have such precious childhood memories of your mom. I know you’ll miss her so much.
No one can ever replace her.
Take comfort in your memories as you grieve.
No matter how old we are, it’s never easy to lose a parent.
Your mother was like a second mom to me growing up. I’ve always remembered the good times and the lessons she taught me. All my love in this hard time , my thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve.
mj sutcliffe
June 2, 2021, 4:20 pm
Diana,
Sending my deepest heartfelt thoughts to you and all your family as you grieve your Mom’s departure for her next journey. What a remarkable woman ! What you have shared in this obituary is a brief glimpse of a life rich in meaning and purpose. Her family legacy will live on in the hearts of the generations that follow her. What a gift she gave to all who knew her.
Love,
mj sutcliffe
Theresa Eagles
June 5, 2021, 12:50 pm
Dear Mrs Georgiou
I cannot put into words the influence you had on my life both my childhood and as an adult.
You were more of a mother to me than my own mother was and as I look back I wish I had had many more conversations with you. You were such an amazing woman who was all for any kind of fun, game of Scrabble, a laugh which I remember as long ago as age 11. I will miss you forever . Thank you for , in my eyes, seeing me as almost a daughter because I certainly saw you as almost a mother. You raised three amazing women and oh if only the world were full of mothers just like you.
I will miss our letter correspondence so much and seeing you when I’m in Florida. But I will treasure the memories forever. I’m so happy you loved the necklace I made for you. I’m so very sorry I’m not there today to celebrate your amazing life and all you have contributed to the kindness and good in the world.
I hope you are with Matthew now who I know missed you dearly as you missed him.
Your friend and almost daughter
Theresa.
Theresa Merrill Eagles
June 5, 2021, 1:04 pm
Dear Mrs Georgiou
I’m saddened that this will be my last letter to you . I loved our correspondence.
You were a huge influence on my life in childhood and adult hood and I will always remember my times in your home on Cypress st.
I will always hear your giggle when you tricked us as children.
Thank you for kind of considering me an almost daughter as you were certainly an almost mother.I would be a different person today had I had a mother like you.
You raised three very amazing daughters and I’m so proud to love them all.
You gave this world 99 years of everything you could and I do admire you for it. I’m so happy we had several visits in the recent years.
I love you deeply and so happy you loved you necklace that I made for you.
Godspeed
Love Theresa Merrill Eagles
Eva
June 5, 2021, 4:28 pm
What a great lady!!! I’m Eva Ruth names after her❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’m proud to have it❤️
Barney Brown
January 22, 2023, 1:16 am
You will not be forgotten.
Barney Brown
January 22, 2023, 1:37 am
Blessed be the memory of Ruth Elizabeth Burlingame Schwab Gerogiou.