Ruth Apeseche, 88, Was Island Hospital Volunteer

Ruth A. (Roeder) Apeseche of Tisbury and Dunedin, Fla., died Friday, Sept. 15, at her home on Lagoon Pond in Tisbury. She was 88.

Ruth was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on June 18, 1918, the only child of John and Anne (Sieler) Roeder. She received her high school education in Niagara Falls and was later graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

She married Frank P. Apeseche, who was vice president of Johnson & Johnson, Inc. They moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, from the time they married until 1963. They then returned to the United States and settled in Westfield, N.J., until 1976 when they moved to Dunedin.

Frank and Ruth bought a home on the Vineyard, on Lagoon Pond in Tisbury, in 1970. They went on to summer on the Island and winter in Florida. Frank predeceased her in 1980.

Ruth was a former member of the Martha's Vineyard Garden Club and volunteered at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital for many years. In addition she was very active with the Lagoon Pond Association, the League of Women Voters and local politics in Dunedin. She enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, cooking and entertaining her friends with wonderful dinner parties.

She is survived by her son, Frank Apeseche Jr. of Natick; two daughters, Robina (Bina) Hall of Birmingham, Mich., and Anita Heller of East Chester, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Marc Hall, Todd Hall, Mat Apeseche, Brian Heller and Tyler Apeseche; and two great-grandchildren, Paige and Jessica Hall.

Her memorial service will be held in Grace Episcopal Church on William street in Vineyard Haven on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. Donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 311 Arsenal street, Watertown, MA 02472.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.