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Ruth (Susie) Amelia Gilfillan passed away peacefully at home on August 14 after a long, beautiful, and joyful life.

Ruth graduated from Union High School in New Jersey in 1956 where she was captain of the cheerleaders and named Best Athlete. She lived in San Francisco for three years after graduation and supported herself as an executive secretary.  Her prom date, J. Albert Wunder, tracked her down after his military service and they eloped in San Francisco in 1966. They traveled back to New Jersey, bought a lake house on Lake Hopatcong, where they raised their two children, Wendy and John Wunder.  Ruth stepped down from her executive secretary position at Sandoz to become the world’s best mom, volunteering for everything from room mother to brownie leader to softball coach and more.  After taking care of her own mother, she went back to work at Warner Lambert/ Pfizer Legal Department to assist in coordinating their board meetings and usher pharmaceuticals through the FDA regulatory process.

She married William Gilfillan in 1991 and became the world’s best step-mom to Sam Gilfillan and Molly Opferman.  She and Bill set up another homestead on the lake where they “lived off the land,” often fishing and gardening and camping in their RV.

Ruth was a professional-grade seamstress and could sew anything at all, which means her grandchildren always had the best Halloween costumes.  She also became an avid quilter after moving to the south.

She cherished being a grandmother and doted on her grandchildren: Morgan, Matthew and Brice Wunder; Cadence Rosenblum; Samantha Gilfillan; and Joseph and Andrew Opferman.

Ruth shared the last ten years of her life with her loving partner, Charlie Manning.  They adored each other and their Cypress Landing neighbors and community and gave back to it whenever they could, volunteering and donating to many local charities. Charlie was with her hand in hand until the very end.

Ruth is survived by said children, step-children and grandchildren, as well as by her sons-in-law, Gregg Rosenblum and Joe Opferman and daughters-in-law Erin Wunder and Mary Huber.  She is also survived by Charlie’s children and scores of devoted nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors, who were blessed by the power of her spirit.

Her love cast a wide net and we will all miss her so terribly.

A memorial service was held at 2pm Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Paul Funeral Home in Washington, North Carolina. Reception immediately followed at the Ell Hotel in Washington 1040 N. Market Street.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Ruth was a regular patron.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Gilfillan family.