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BOCA RATON — Ruth Richards McGoldrick died March 13 at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the fitting place for her last breath. She was 100.
Her daughter Pamela Smith and trusted companion, Eva Dias, were at her side when she died in the hospital at which she volunteered for over 40 years.
She was born Ruth Eleanor Richards on July 20, 1918, to Sarah Currie Richards and George Daniel Richards in Pittsburgh. Her sister Sarah Richards Crowe and brother George Palmer Richards predeceased her.
Miss Richards married Francis M. McGoldrick in 1951 and spent the next 35 years at his side. Retired Maj. Gen. McGoldrick died in 1986.
As Frank rose to major general in his Army career, Ruth was his constant companion and support. Their tours of duty included the Pentagon and commands based in El Paso, Texas, Colorado Springs, Seattle, Chicago and Seoul, South Korea.
While in Korea, Ruth led the growth of the Girls’ Vocational School in Seoul and the Paraplegic Village for Korean War veterans. She was recognized for her outstanding service by Korean President Park Chung-hee with the Public Welfare Medal.
Ruth and Frank retired to Florida in 1966 and made Boca Raton their home.
Mrs. McGoldrick’s passion for service continued in Boca Raton, where she totaled more than 40,000 hours of volunteer work at the hospital.
In addition to serving as the ninth president of the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League (1976-1978), Mrs. McGoldrick led the Thrift Shop for over 40 years, making many friends while raising money for the hospital.
She and her husband also served as Boca Raton Community Hospital Ball chairmen in 1976.
Mrs. McGoldrick was Dame of Honour in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller Malta. In 1989 she was honored as Boca Raton Woman Volunteer of the Year and was chosen for the Boca Raton Historical Society’s Walk of Recognition in 2004.
Mrs. McGoldrick was active in the National Society of Arts and Letters and the Garden Club. The highlight of each week was her bridge game with neighbors at St. Andrews, a community she loved.
Mrs. McGoldrick earned her bachelor of arts degree from Florida Atlantic University and was a proud member of the Majestic Owls Society.
Her greatest love was her family. She is survived by daughters Patricia Murphy (Tom), Pamela Smith (George, deceased), Deborah Tannenbaum (Jerome) and son John (Bonnie), grandchildren Mary Lampmann (Peter), John Murphy (Rocio) and Mark McGoldrick, and great-grandchildren James Lampmann, Ryan Murphy and Aidan Murphy.
She is also survived by sister-in-law Thelma Richards, nephew Jeffrey Richards (Denise), their children Joshua, Stephen, Cassandra and Rebecca and nephew Bradley Richards (Joanne). Also: nephew John Crowe (Jennie Belle), their children John Crowe III and Kristin Dussault (Dave), and their children (Deacon, Tristan, Audrey, Harper and Landon).
Ruth is also survived by cousins Jennifer Samuels, Karen Sims Franke (William) and Barbara Conover (David) and their children Kathy and David. McGoldrick nieces and nephews include Keven McGoldrick, Karin Nelson, Elizabeth Ringo, Peter McGoldrick, Blanche Bancroft, Charles Schulz and Edward Schulz.
A memorial service was held at St. Andrews Estates South, Boca Raton, on March 23.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League Thrift Shop.

— Obituary submitted by the family