Ruth Hanrahan

Ruth N. Hanrahan of Blue Ridge, Georgia left her earthly home on January 10, 2025 after suffering a heart attack on New Year's Eve. She was born February 4, 1928 in Ghent, Minnesota and was one of eight children (four daughters and four sons) born to Robert and Fern Nicholson.

Ruth was predeceased by her loving husband Vincent A. Hanrahan, her son Matthew, her mother and father, her brothers Robert, Walter, Kenneth and William, and her sisters Edith and Margorie.

Left to cherish her memory are Ruth's son Mark, her sister Alma and her many friends and relatives.

Ruth worked for Eastern Airlines in Manhattan, New York where she met Vincent. Ruth and Vince were married on January 21, 1954. Mark was born on May 7, 1957, and Matthew was born on November 8, 1960. In 1969, the entire family moved to Miami, Florida. Ruth loved living in Miami and she flourished there. She became a successful real estate agent and broker, eventually owning her own brokerage firm. Real estate was Ruth's life's work and she became a board member of the Kendall-Perrine Board of Realtors and chaired the ethics committee for the board.

After retiring in 1993, Ruth moved to Jupiter, Florida where she and Vince played golf and enjoyed dining out and socializing with new friends. Ruth was a devoted wife, and when her beloved Vince fell ill, she cared for him until his death.

Ruth loved to play cards and was an avid bridge player, regularly entering bridge tournaments. Ruth was also a voracious reader and even in later life, when she had lost her eyesight, Ruth filled her days listening to audio books. Ruth traveled extensively in the U.S., Europe and Australia with her husband. After Vincent's passing, Ruth continued to travel with her sister Alma.

Ruth had an unwavering dedication to family and was a woman of great strength and resilience. She overcame a litany of challenges, including a car accident that left her with chronic back and leg pain throughout her life, the tragic death of her son Matthew, and the destruction of her Miami home by hurricane Andrew. Ruth was also a cancer survivor, but she did not let her life challenges derail her. Throughout her life, Ruth maintained an energetic determination to enjoy life to its fullest. Ruth was zealously social and regularly volunteered to help others. These are some of the enduring attributes of Ruth's persona that inspired those around her and for which she will always be remembered.

Ruth was also a devout catholic. A funeral mass will be held for Ruth at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, in Blue Ridge, Georgia on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11 AM. Father John Conway will be the celebrant.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Lung Association in Ruth's name.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ruth Nicholson Hanrahan. Send condolences, prayers, and sign the guest register below.