Obituary of Ruth Guida

Ruth (Billow) Guida, adopted daughter of Milton O. and Sarah H. Billow, passed from earth to Heaven peacefully at home surrounded by family Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. Ruth was a former teacher in the Pocono Mountain School District for 27 years before retiring in 1989. She had graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1948 with a degree in biology. In the early 1950s, after she married and began raising her four children, Ruth left the lab and eventually opted for the classroom. I have never met anyone who didn't like Ruth. She was everyone's favorite teacher. She was tough, but fair. You didn't pick on others in her presence. She was also an avid fisherwoman. As one of her grandchildren said, "My father didn't teach me how to fish, my grandma did." Ruth loved to travel, including a 17-state camping trip. She introduced us to Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where we had memorable family vacations. Now she's gone on her greatest trip of all to Heaven. And this one is never-ending. We will miss her terribly, but will be with her soon enough forever. She made several mission trips with members of Paradise Valley Church to Arizona Indian tribes, Puerto Rico, Florida, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. She also traveled alone to multiple African countries, the Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, etc. Ruth was one of the most generous people to ever walk this earth, giving of her time, talent and treasure. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Marjorie Beers of Swiftwater; a son, Andrew Guida and his wife, Debi, of Lake Wallenpaupack; and a daughter, Christine Tarnecky of Stroudsburg. She was also blessed with grandchildren, Elijah and Justine Beers of Swiftwater, Eric Iovino of Boynton Beach, Fla., Melody Guida of Bellingham, Wash., Stephanie Roy of Boynton Beach, Fla., Nicole Madison of Reeders, Emily Tarnecky of Hoboken, N.J., Jordan Tarnecky of Appenzell; and her great-grandchildren, Christina Kualii, Brianna Iovino, Julia Iovino, Ethan Beers and Jaxon Madison. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra (56) and her granddaughter, Cheryl (25). There will be a viewing from 11 a.m. until the time of the service Friday, Dec. 13, at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. Pastor David Crosby Sr. will conduct a funeral service at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Keokee Chapel Cemetery, Keokee Chapel Lane, Paradise Valley.