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Continued from previous page(a) Rochester. N.Y.: Ruth was born in Rochester, New York on Dec. 9, 1931. Ruth's birth family included her parents, Louisa (Lou) Guenther Gudinas and William Henry Gudinas, as well as her older sister, Marie. Ruth entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, N.Y., -i'i, I teceived Tier habit on July 3,1950, at the age of 18. At this time Ruth took the name Sister Mary de Montfort and she received degrees in history from Nazareth College. She was a classroom teacher until 1963.(b) Chicago: Ruth was sent to the University of Chicago by her convent to earn a Ph.D. in Political Science, moving into International House in Chicago in 1963 at the age of 31. There she met people from many countries and a wide variety of cultures from around the world, Ruth embraced this time of her life - it was an incredible time of growth. She learned about alternative educational approaches and how the world looked from different cultural perspectives. She developed a Social Conscience, looking at how the powers in society keep certain groups of people down - - and committing to work to change that. Exactly 51 years ago, on Ruth's second day at International House, she met Dorothy Dot W. Davids who became herbest friend, mentor and more. Dot taught her to appreciate differences - not judge them. Dot also introduced Ruth to the Ho-Chunk people of Wisconsin and their politics are the focus of her Ph.D. dissertation. She earned her Ph.D. in June, 1974.After being called back to Rochester by her convent superiors in 1970. Ruth taught at Nazareth College for a couple of years, but felt compelied to leave her beloved Sisters of St. Joseph on Aug. 1. 1972, at the age of 40. This was an incredibly courageous act of faith for Ruth. Dorothy waited outside in tier little car and offered Ruth a place to stay back in Wisconsin, near Madison.■c Madison, Wis.: Ruth worked for i he Madison Metropolitan School District for the next 17 years as a Multicultural Curriculum Specialist in the Department of Human Relations. She was an educator who recognized the need for instruction and materials that more realistically reflected society and included a wider range of histories, cultures and perspectives. She was a leader in developing educational tools to analyze materials for bias. She promoted the use of authentic materials and searched out high quality books and other materials representing a wide range of experiences and perspectives. Ruth amassed an outstanding multicultural library for use by all members of Madison's school community. Ruth was a good listener and her door was always open And she took action! Ruth's tireless efforts and positive attitude made it all possible. Ruth received a variety of awards for her service to the people of Madison and the state of Wisconsin. More importantly, she made changes that were carried on by the teachers she worked with and all the students they taught. Ruth made the district a better place, Madison a better place, and the world a better place. Her presence in that world will be sorely missed.(d) Mohican Nation: Stockbridge-Munsee Community. Ruth and Dot together bought a home on Big Lake Road (near Gresham, Wisjon the historic leservation lands of the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe. Dot is an enrolled member of this nation. Ruth moved permanently up north' after her retirement from the Madison Metropolitan School District in June, 1989, at the age of 57.in retirement Ruth and Dot continued to do extensive and award-winning multicultural educational consulting as FULL CIRCLE: Education for a Diverse Society Additionally they established a nonprofitBublishing organization calledIUH-HE-CON-NEEW Press and published a number of excellent books. Their work throughout the past three decades includes educational retreats and curriculum support, encouraging new, young writers (such as the Woodland Writers Group ), the Stockbridge-Munsee Historical Committee, working with educators across the state, and much more.At their home, many cats adopted Ruth and Dot over the years. Anyone who visited their home came to know their many cats and the love they had for these four-legged family members. Additionally, both Ruth and Dot were dedicated to their Green Bay Packers. Ruth loved to laugh, dearly enjoying good jokes, and she also had a love of music until the end of her days. Ruth told us that we must remember that real gifts are the words we share. Ruth indeed gave us the important Gifts of her words over the years, many of which can be found on the internet at UW-Green Bay under “Full CircleAs Ruth once wrote to a dear friend: What can I say? It's been a great ride and we ain t home yet! Let’s hang in together!Love, Ruth.Ruth is survived by her lifetime partner. Dorothy W. Davids. She is also survived by her sister, Marie Gossman (with her husband, Jim) and three nieces. Martha, Ruth and Karla, all living in Colorado. A niece, Ann. preceded her in death. Ruth also has an extensive and caring family of Dot's sisters and brothers, plus many nieces and nephews who have always provided her with unending love and constant support. Finally, she has an extremely large family of friends from across the nation and throughout the world.We want to honor the staff of Ella Besaw Center of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community where Ruth lived since spring, 2013, and the Community Health Nurse of the Stockbridge Community. Thesewonderful people have offered her unending support, devotion, dedication, love and laughter. We also wish to thank the staff of Unity Hospice of Green Bay for their especially thoughtful, caring work in helping Ruth during her last months of life.Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at the PINE HILLS BANQUET HALL (the A” Frame) on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. This is located on Big Lake Road, at the Pine Hills Golf Course of the Mohican Nation: Stockbridge-Munsee Community.Please bring a dish to pass and special memories of Ruth to share with our family and community as we all celebrate our dear Ruthie!
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