Ruth Skudlarek

Ruth Jaqui Skudlarek, 89, died at home on June 16th, just 2 days short of her 90th birthday, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth will be remembered always for her incredible energy, vivacious personality, and zest for living. She was the mother of seven children, whom she always regarded as her greatest treasure and her greatest accomplishment.

Ruth was born June 18, 1922 in Newark, New Jersey, the elder daughter of William Henry Jaqui and Agnes Efinger Jaqui. Her father was the founder of the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home in Highland Park, N.J.

In 1943, at the age of 21, Ruth graduated from St. Peter’s School of Nursing in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After graduation, she became the head nurse for the Rutger’s University Infirmary. During World War II, Ruth volunteered and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. She was head nurse in the POW ward at Fort Dix, New Jersey as well as head nurse in the ophthalmology unit. She met her husband, Alois John Skudlarek, who was with the 8th Air Force in England when he was transferred to Fort Dix with an eye injury. They married in 1947 and settled in Metuchen, N.J.

While raising seven children, Ruth continued to work part-time as a private duty and general duty nurse. After her youngest child began nursery school, Ruth worked mornings as a head nurse in a program for handicapped children at St. Luke’s Church in Metuchen.

Ruth’s favorite nursing position was working for the Visiting Nurses for ten years, until 1970. She loved visiting the farms and ministering to the migrant workers and their families in the Garden State.

Ruth also served as a volunteer with Hospice at Perth Amboy Hospital, and was on the Pastoral Board of the Metucen dioceses, and the St. Francis Cathedral Deanery. She was also active with the JFK Hospital Auxillary.

Ruth’s favorite place on earth was the Jersey Shore and she visited there at every opportunity.

She was predeceased by her husband, Alois, who died June 16, 1970, 42 years to the day before her, and her dear friend, Eileen Dunne. Surviving are daughters, Dr. Mary Sudzina and husband Michael Sudzina of Charleston, SC; Kathryn Skudlarek and husband, James Miller of Richmond, VA; Ann Skudlark and husband Michael Fox of Westfield, N.J. and Noel Stuhlman and husband Bill Stuhlman of Littleton, CO; also by sons, William and wife Teri of Miamisburg, OH; Joseph and wife Mary Ann of Lake Oswego, OR; and John Peter and wife Andrea of Alexandria, VA. Ruthie will be missed by grandchildren: Christine Sudzina Schut (and husband Jaap), Suzanne Sudzina; Jeffrey Skudlarek (and wife Jenny), Amanda Koman (and husband Brian). Jennifer Skudlarek (and partner Jess). Martin Fox (and fiancé Courtney), Claire and Erin Fox; Marissa Skudlarek; Brooke, Brenna and Bethany Stuhlman, and Jake, Paul, Hanna, and Peter Skudlarek. Great grandchildren are Anna, Kevon, Cooper, and Nora Skudlarek; and Jameson and Timothy Schut.

Ruth will also be missed by her sister, Eileen Kuhn and husband Jim of Metuchen, N.J. , and nieces Patricia, Maureen and Michele.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, 17 South Adelaide Avenue, Highland Park. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:15 a.m. Thursday at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery, Woodbridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Social Concerns Committee at St. Francis Cathedral (732-548-0100 x225) or the JFK Hospital Auxillary (732-321-7085)

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