Obituary of Ruth Smith Rodeman

Ruth Smith Rodeman, age 89 of Whitehouse Station, NJ, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at her home. Ruth grew up in Jersey City where she attended St. Boniface School and St. Dominic's Academy. As soon as she was eligible she joined Girl Scouts and became an active life-long member and volunteer. Hundreds of girls had the advantage of her leadership. Summers were spent at Girl Scout Camp, Hudsonia for 28 continuous years in many position including Camp Director. In 1961 when National decided to have their professionals operate the camp, Terry Cafiero and Ruth purchased their own camp. They operated Camp Heritage in Whitehouse Station, NJ for 20 years. Thus they were able to extend the camping experience to many at affordable rates. Educationally Ruth earned a BS in Education from New Jersey City University and an MA in Math from Columbia University. She was state certified in many areas. She taught and supervised in Ridgefield, Public Schools for 49 years. For many years she taught at night at IBM in New York City. After receiving a G.S. Golden Eaglet, Ruth became a member of the Golden Eaglet Order of the Hudson Region Girl Scouts, Inc. Besides her lifelong friend, Terry Cafiero, Ruth is survived by her 3 nieces, Lillian Convery and her children, Sean and Samantha; her niece, Adriana Kern and her husband, Robert and their children, Leighann, Adriana and Carolyn and her niece, Ruth Lapczynski and her husband, Anthony and their children, Dinajean, Anthony and John. She is also survived by her brother, John S. Rodeman of Point Pleasant, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, June 5, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Whitehouse Station. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Girl Scout Heart of NJ, 1171 State Route 28, Somerville, NJ 08876-3382 or Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.