Ruth Pauline (Nelson) McElwain passed on to greater things on June 24, 2015. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years James J. McElwain. Born August 12, 1923 in Altoona, PA, she was a daughter of the late Anna Mary and John Thorne Nelson. Ruth was a long time resident of Florham Park, NJ where she raised her five children and was very active at Holy Family School and the Holy Family Catholic Church where she was a member of the Rosary Society and the Holy Name Society. Ruth was also a founding member of the Afton/Florham Park Garden Clubs. She was very active in a variety of civic organizations including Florham Park's 4th of July Committee and worked in many elections as a polling judge. When business required relocation to St. Louis, MO, Ruth again was very active at Christ Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Ruth retired from Chubb Insurance Group after 25 years of service as an underwriter. Upon Ruth and Jim's retirement they relocated to Walkersville, MD where Ruth became active at St. Timothy's Catholic Church. Ruth worked tirelessly with other parishioner's and Father Murphy to raise money and assist in the organization of St. Timothy's newly built church. Until her death, Ruth was a daily Mass attendee and Eucharistic minister, where she also administered the Eucharist to the home bound. Ruth was devoted to her faith and prayed for others constantly. Ruth set a high bar in her many examples of using her gifts of time and talent to the betterment of all, especially in the care she provided for her husband when he needed her most. Ruth enjoyed being with her family and working in the garden. Ruth was an avid reader and loved to travel with her many friends to all parts of the world and she never turned down a trip to the shore. Ruth is survived by her children James H. McElwain and Marjorie of Pittsburgh, PA, Molly Ellis of Easton, PA; Stephen N. McElwain also of Easton, PA, Rachel Hessler and Timothy, Walkersville, MD and Peter A. McElwain and Krista also of Walkersville. Ruth was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Mom will be missed. She was preceded in death by sisters Mary Edna Hostler, Catherine Hostler and Dorothy Sabathne; brother, John Nelson; and son-in-law, Craig A. Ellis. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9pm on Sunday, June 28th, and 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm on Monday, June 29th at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, June 30th from Saint Timothy's Catholic Church, 8651 Biggs Ford Road, Walkersville, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Richard J. Murphy. Interment will be in Saint John's Cemetery, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donation made in her name to Saint Timothy's Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared with the family at keeneybasford.com.
