Ruth Ibsen

Ruth (Hanks) Ibsen, 88, of Cheshire, wife of the late Donald J. Ibsen, passed away at the UConn Health Center on April 28, 2021. Born in New Haven January 2, 1933, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Doris (Meeker) Hanks. Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her children; Marcia Russo (Michael) of Farmington, Donald J. Ibsen, Jr. of Bethel, and Diane Covel (Sean) of Northford, and grandchildren; Brandon Russo (Adrianna) of Florida, Tara Russo (Michael) of Middletown, Christopher Burzynski of California, Lauren Cloutier (Justin) of Simsbury, Stefan Burzynski (Kelli) of Glastonbury, and Ian and Erik Covel, both of Northford, and great-grandchildren; Myah, Angelina and Taylor Russo, Adelyn, Porter, and Remington Cloutier, and Connor and Cameron Burzynski. She is survived by her siblings; Robert, David, Paul, Alan, and Jeffrey Hanks. She is also predeceased by her siblings; Lois Stone, William Hanks, Margaret English, and George Hanks, Jr.

Ruth attended Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford. She was a longtime devoted member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church of Woodbridge, where she sang in the choir, cooked in the kitchen, and volunteered for vacation bible school, sports camp, and White Cross ministries to name a few. She was also a member of New Haven Country Club where she enjoyed friends, golf and acting as the Women’s golf historian through photography. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Homemaker Thrift Shop in Branford. Ruth grew up and raised a family in North Haven. She volunteered at the voter polls for many years in town. She enjoyed gardening, hosting friends and family, and birdwatching. Ruth loved beachcombing, especially for sharks’ teeth! She loved to travel and was blessed to be able to do so with family, friends and her beloved husband Don.

Friends are invited to visit with Ruth’s family from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, May 7th at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. A Memorial Service will be private, but streamed to Trinity Evangelical Free Church’s Facebook page. Burial will be private.