Ruth E. Van Brakle of Edgartown died unexpectedly on April 5, 2015. She was 73.
Ruth was admired by so many for her zest for living passionately and maintaining a youthful spirit. She will be missed by many people that she touched in her special way.
A lifelong resident of Martha’s Vineyard, Ruth was born in Oak Bluffs to Antone T. and Inez W. (Manning) Silvia. She graduated from Tisbury High School in 1960. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
Ruth retired from Island Insurance Agency after 35 years of dedicated service. In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, as mother, grandmother and friend. Ruth enjoyed life to the fullest, and was a true Islander with an appreciation of many Island activities that included quahogging, clamming, picking beach plums and blueberries. She also enjoyed fishing, boating and her favorite past time, hunting for sea glass. She was passionate about photography, reading, as well as her home, pool and gardens. Ruth could also be found on the golf course or the tennis court on a sunny day.
Ruth also enjoyed travelling, both abroad and domestically and spent many years in Hollywood Beach, FL. She had a passion for learning new things and spent time learning both Spanish and Portuguese. Her enthusiasm for enjoying life was boundless.
She is predeceased by four siblings: Kenneth Silvia, Preston Silvia, Gilbert Silvia and Verna Silvia.
She is also survived by two daughters, Renee Metell and her husband Paul of West Tisbury, and Karen Van Brakle of Plainville, CT; three grandchildren, Jeremy Provost, Aaron Metell, Marissa Gray; and two great grandchildren, Hayleigh LeCoq and Cavin Payton, Jr.
Her graveside service will be held Saturday, May 9, at 10am in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tisbury. Donations may be made in her memory to the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, P.O. Box 1552, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.