Ruth Immelt Anderson died of natural causes on Oct. 30 at her beloved home in Oak Bluffs. She was 98.

She was born Feb. 10, 1923, in Columbus, Ohio. As one of 10 children, Ruth learned at an early age the importance of helping others, becoming independent and self-reliant yet fiercely faithful to family, and to be a friend and encourager to any who entered her life.

After graduating from North High School, she showed her characteristic self-determination by doing what few women at the time could do: she answered the call to support both family and country by enlisting in The Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (The W.A.V.E.S.). She was stationed in Washington, D.C. and assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics. She was part of an instrumental support team, aiding the ongoing efforts of the Navy’s upper echelon to procure, test, regulate and implement land-based and ship-based World War II aircraft.

Happily, her brother Bob was also stationed in Washington, D.C., along with wife Betty, and the threesome spent many happy times together exploring the area and supporting each other during difficult war times.

After the war, Ruth took advantage of her lifelong love of learning and curiosity by earning the first of two college degrees. Her first was in sociology. It was as perfect a fit for her as it was for the many individuals and families she helped to better themselves and their situations through social work over the years.

Later, she followed others in her family by pursuing a degree in education and becoming a teacher. She believed that the classics could never disappoint. She quoted extensively from Shake speare, Hazlett, Goethe, Voltaire and Stevenson, among others, showcasing their unique and genuine philosophical viewpoints to any who could listen.

Ruth and her husband Carl Anderson were married for 59 years. They were lucky to spend their years together traveling the world over, enlarging their circle of friends as much as their circle of knowledge, and always with the intent of sharing how important travel could be to personal growth. The two retired to Martha’s Vineyard in 1989, first to a Camp Ground cottage and later to a winter home. They continued to open their lives to extensive visits from friends and family near and far, developing close ties to one and all, but most especially to their closest friend of 30 years, Grace Holman.

They also devoted much time and effort to helping out at Trinity United Methodist Church in the Camp Ground. Those who had the privilege of knowing Ruth benefited from her wit, wisdom and mentoring efforts as an all-in-one teacher, encourager, mother, sister and friend. No time with Ruth was ever wasted; anyone who met her was inspired by her ever-present message: you are enough.

One of her favorite quotes is from Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe: Whatever you can do, Or Dream you can do, Begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

She is survived by her brother Joseph Immelt of Mason, Ohio; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews across the United States. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.