Obituary for Ruth Campbell Dowden
Ruth Bishop Campbell Dowden passed into the arms of her loving Savior on Sunday, March 13,
2022 at age 103.
She was born June 30, 1918 in Newark, New Jersey to Clarence and Evangeline Campbell where
the family resided until Ruth went to college.
Ruth received her teaching degree from Trenton State Teacher’s College and throughout the
years taught several grades. She married her sweetheart, George B. Dowden, on May 27, 1943
and for 58 years they had an inseparable bond, until his passing on April 4, 2001.
Ruth and George made their home in Livingston, New Jersey for 60 years, and they summered
in Ocean Grove, New Jersey for about 50 years. Most recently, she lived at Willow Valley
Communities in Lancaster, PA.
Ruth was a faithful member of Northfield Baptist Church, Livingston, where over the years she
served as a deaconess, choir member, librarian, children’s choir director, and was the woman
behind the scenes for countless potluck dinners and celebrations. She exemplified the verse
from Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
In Ocean Grove, Ruth and her late husband George enjoyed Sunday worship, concerts, local
events, Gospel Music Ministry events on the boardwalk pavilion, and morning Bible hour. You
could always find Ruth, third row from the front, at the Great Auditorium. Ruth served in the
Women’s Auxiliary, the annual bazaar, and the Centennial House. She had a kind word of
greeting to all who passed by as she sat on her porch.
Through the years, Ruth enjoyed needle point, crafts, sewing (making countless outfits for
daughters and granddaughters), embroidery, cooking and gardening.
She and George enjoyed over 58 years of a loving committed marriage. Her children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren were blessed by this consistently loving woman and her
prayers on their behalf. She journeyed with and supported her children and grandchildren
through the ups and downs of life.
Ruth is survived by her three children, Barbara Simmonds, Lynn (Don) Graves, and Blair (Chris)
Dowden; eight grandchildren, Kristin Simmonds, Jennifer Szyszkiewicz, Robyn (Richard)
Lemanski; Allan (Johanna) Graves, Jonathan Graves, Elizabeth Ruth Graves; Beau Dowden, Marli
(Brandon) Piercy; and eleven great grandchildren, Nicolas Simmonds; Devin Miller, Emily and
Josh Szyszkiewicz; Lexie and Eli Graves; Brynn, Mallory, and Grant Dowden; and Emerson and
Evie Piercy. All cherish memories of delicious meals around Mom’s, Grandma’s and Nana’s
table, family devotions, board games, various outings, encouraging cheers from sidelines and
seats, and her yummy chocolate chip cookies, pies and brownies.
She will be greatly missed. But we rejoice with Ruth, as she now enjoys new life with her Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The celebration of Ruth Dowden’s life will be Friday, March 18, 2022 at Mastapeter Funeral
Home, 400 Faitoute Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ. The viewing will be from 10-11 a.m. with the
service following. Rev Dean Gavaris will be officiating. Interment will follow in the afternoon at
Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY.
Memorial gifts in honor of Ruth may be sent to Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association,
Gospel Music Ministries, P.O. Box 248, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756.
2022 at age 103.
She was born June 30, 1918 in Newark, New Jersey to Clarence and Evangeline Campbell where
the family resided until Ruth went to college.
Ruth received her teaching degree from Trenton State Teacher’s College and throughout the
years taught several grades. She married her sweetheart, George B. Dowden, on May 27, 1943
and for 58 years they had an inseparable bond, until his passing on April 4, 2001.
Ruth and George made their home in Livingston, New Jersey for 60 years, and they summered
in Ocean Grove, New Jersey for about 50 years. Most recently, she lived at Willow Valley
Communities in Lancaster, PA.
Ruth was a faithful member of Northfield Baptist Church, Livingston, where over the years she
served as a deaconess, choir member, librarian, children’s choir director, and was the woman
behind the scenes for countless potluck dinners and celebrations. She exemplified the verse
from Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.”
In Ocean Grove, Ruth and her late husband George enjoyed Sunday worship, concerts, local
events, Gospel Music Ministry events on the boardwalk pavilion, and morning Bible hour. You
could always find Ruth, third row from the front, at the Great Auditorium. Ruth served in the
Women’s Auxiliary, the annual bazaar, and the Centennial House. She had a kind word of
greeting to all who passed by as she sat on her porch.
Through the years, Ruth enjoyed needle point, crafts, sewing (making countless outfits for
daughters and granddaughters), embroidery, cooking and gardening.
She and George enjoyed over 58 years of a loving committed marriage. Her children,
grandchildren and great grandchildren were blessed by this consistently loving woman and her
prayers on their behalf. She journeyed with and supported her children and grandchildren
through the ups and downs of life.
Ruth is survived by her three children, Barbara Simmonds, Lynn (Don) Graves, and Blair (Chris)
Dowden; eight grandchildren, Kristin Simmonds, Jennifer Szyszkiewicz, Robyn (Richard)
Lemanski; Allan (Johanna) Graves, Jonathan Graves, Elizabeth Ruth Graves; Beau Dowden, Marli
(Brandon) Piercy; and eleven great grandchildren, Nicolas Simmonds; Devin Miller, Emily and
Josh Szyszkiewicz; Lexie and Eli Graves; Brynn, Mallory, and Grant Dowden; and Emerson and
Evie Piercy. All cherish memories of delicious meals around Mom’s, Grandma’s and Nana’s
table, family devotions, board games, various outings, encouraging cheers from sidelines and
seats, and her yummy chocolate chip cookies, pies and brownies.
She will be greatly missed. But we rejoice with Ruth, as she now enjoys new life with her Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The celebration of Ruth Dowden’s life will be Friday, March 18, 2022 at Mastapeter Funeral
Home, 400 Faitoute Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ. The viewing will be from 10-11 a.m. with the
service following. Rev Dean Gavaris will be officiating. Interment will follow in the afternoon at
Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY.
Memorial gifts in honor of Ruth may be sent to Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association,
Gospel Music Ministries, P.O. Box 248, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756.