Lynne Ruth Henderson Obituary (1992 - 2017)

Lynne Ruth Henderson (lovingly known as Ruthie) of Gainesville, FL, died peacefully surrounded by love from near and afar, on March 19, 2017. Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Alfred and Joyce Evenhuis in December 1941, Ruth developed her incredible gift of house-buying and home renovation from her father, a skilled carpenter and contractor. Ruth received a Ph.D. in English Literature and Education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and spent an incredible life as an administrator both in educational institutions and international development. Ruth served as headmistress in international boarding schools in England and Greece, and established and headed a school in Cyprus. A career change to international aid and development took Ruth to administrative positions in Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, the Philippines, and Switzerland. Upon returning to the United States in 1992 to care for her mother, Ruth established the English House (an institute for learning English as a Foreign Language). Subsequently she served at Oak Hall School as Director for Development, as administrator of the Santa Fe College Davis Center in Archer, as interim city manager for the city of Archer, and was adjunct faculty at the University of Florida's College of Education. Ruth is survived by her loving husband Dr. Harold R. Henderson, daughter Julie Henderson (Glynn Hayes), her lovingly named 'granddaughter by association' Savanna Hayes, her sister-friend Elsa Gambert, and her godchildren Christopher Snow and Arielle Snow. Her dog Spunky is lost without her and her dearest friends cannot imagine a world without Ruthie. She is deeply loved and sadly missed by the congregation at Forest United Methodist Church in Silver Springs where Harold serves as pastor. Services will be held Saturday March 25th, 2017 at 11:00am led by senior pastor Reverend Beth Farabee, First United Methodist Church, 419 NE 1st St. Gainesville, FL 32601. In honor of Ruth's life, donations may be sent to: Helping Hands Clinic for the Homeless http://hhclinicgnv.org/ 509 NE 1st St Gainesville FL 32601, USA Haven Hospice http://www.havenhospice.org/donate-to-haven-hospice.aspx 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606