Ruth B. Wissman-Reedy

Ruth Wissman-Reedy, age 85, died May 14, 2007, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ruth was born October 30, 1921, at home in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bertram O. Wissman and second husband, George E. Reedy; mother and father, Carl and Anna Brial and sister, Lois Shupert. Ruth was a 14 year cancer survivor. Affectionately called Ruthie by her friends, children, and grandchildren, Ruth�s 41 year career was a rich one. In 1940 at the age of 19, she worked as campaign secretary for, and then went to Washington D.C. with U.S. Senator Harold Burton of Ohio. She continued to serve Burton after he was appointed U. S. Supreme Court Justice in 1945. For eight years she was executive secretary to U. S. Senator John Bricker of Ohio. While on Capitol Hill, she married Bertram O. Wissman and had four children. When her children were 3, 5, 6 and 7, Bert, her beloved husband of just less than 8 years, died. Ruth bravely endured the untimely loss of her husband and elected to move back to her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, to raise her children with the support network of her parents and sisters. In Columbus, Ruth joined the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, where she ultimately retired from in 1981 after 15 years of dedicated service. In 1988 Ruth married George Reedy, former press secretary to Lyndon Johnson and later Dean of the Marquette University College of Journalism. Through the years, Ruthie gifted her children and grandchildren with pails of memories as she packed up her kids every year for her favorite vacation, a trip to the beaches of Maryland and Delaware. There she spent leisurely days on the beach with her family, sharing walks on the boardwalk, cracking Blue crab and enjoying soft shell crab sandwiches, which she always referred to as a �bug on a bun�. Ruthie is survived by her four children and their families: Stephen Wissman, (sons JB and Jacob), and their mother Karen; Melissa and Wallace Wood, (daughters Morgan and Gwendolyn); Rita and Ken Martin, (son and daughter Jack and Alexandra); and Brial and Lisa Wissman, (sons Grant, Clay, and Adam). She is also survived by her sisters and their husbands: Barbara and John Bowers, Rita and Herman LaGow; Carol and Dan Morgan, fourteen nieces and nephews, and many friends. Ruthie was admired by all who knew her; she impressed and educated us with her insight; entertained us with her quick wit and humor; warmed us with her always ready smile and unconditional love. Her commitment to family, friends and forgiveness set an example for all of us who loved her. Friends are invited to a Memorial Service Friday May 25, 2007 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community, 3550 Shaw Ave. Cincinnati, 45208. A reception will follow in the Lee Library. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community and/or Vitas Hospice, both staffs whom the family would like to thank for their loving care of our Ruthie.