Ruth Elisabeth (Habermann) MacDonald

Ruth Elisabeth MacDonald, 98, of Wilmington, Ohio passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Ohio Living Cape May.  Her husband, William MacDonald, whom she married November 4, 1948, preceded her in death.  Ruth was born July 18, 1927 in Marienbad Czechoslovakia, daughter of the late Joseph Habermann and Antonia Tchochner Habermann.

Ruth was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church and active with the Sacred Heart Sodality.  She had served as a volunteer at Clinton Memorial Hospital and Cape May Retirement Village and enjoyed traveling, sewing, knitting, and crocheting.

Survivors include her daughters, Kathy Woods, Robin (Rex) Gunning, and Barbee (Randy) Stephens; sons, Jim (Caryn) MacDonald, Glenn (Lorie) MacDonald, and Paul (Rhonda) MacDonald; grandchildren, Travis Woods, Alison Woods, Hilary Woods, Sara Franjoine, Heidi (Chris) McAllister, Mallory (Tony) Gerharz, Cassie (Taylor) Everett, Katlyn MacDonald, and Kylee MacDonald; nine great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by son-in-law, Thomas Woods; brother, Harald Habermann; and granddaughter, Emily MacDonald.

A memorial Mass will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry Street, Wilmington, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth’s memory may be made to St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry St., Wilmington, OH 45177.

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