Ruth Bono
Alton |
On March 9, 2025, Ruth Marie Bono was reunited with her beloved husband Tom and welcomed under the wings of her sons Tom Jr. and Terry, her grandson Thomas Robert, her parents, and her siblings Bernie and Vincent.
Ruthie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Her strength, creativity, and compassion left a lasting mark on everyone who knew her. Born and raised in Alton, IL, Ruthie was the fourth of five children born to Myron and Nellie Ruyle on September 14, 1946. She graduated from East Alton-Wood River High School in 1964, the same year she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Thomas Lee Bono, on November 7.
Together, Ruthie and Tom built a beautiful life, raising three children—Tom Jr., Terry, and Robbie—and took on every adventure as an unstoppable team. As Toms engineering career took them across the eastern part of the country, Ruthie found her own passion when they settled in Pennsylvania. As a natural born leader always having a positive outlook, in any situation she found herself in. She became a successful realtor, quickly making a name for herself through her eye for detail, talent for home staging, and dedication to her clients. Her efforts were recognized as she became a multi-year recipient of the prestigious $1 Million Medallion Club Award and later the $2 Million Medallion Club Award for outstanding sales achievements.
Ruthie’s creative spirit was evident in everything she touched. A self-taught artist, she explored many forms of art, from painting and sewing to reupholstering furniture for loved ones. She was endlessly curious, eager to learn new skills, and always happy to help others with her talents. She was a also extremely organized, self driven, and always manage to handle any new task with ease. And because of this her and Tom were able to combined their strengths and entrepreneurial spirit to create Bono Inc and later Cardinal Products, supplying healthcare products to hospitals and medical offices across the country. No challenge was too great when they worked together.
In 1995, the two started looking for their retirement home. With Tom’s passion for the sea, and Ruthies' passion being was wherever Tom was, they settled down in their home in Bath, NC. Where they would both eventually retired and enjoyed the finer things in life together.
Anyone who knew Ruthie would tell you that she was one of the most devoted wifes they have ever have meet. When Toms health started to decline she tried getting him into a good rehab facility to get better. But to her, none of them could give him the care he deserved. So she took it upon herself to bring him home and be his caregiver. On November 28, 2024, Tom passed away peacefully at home. Although this broke Ruthies heart, she was stubborn and strong. She kept her head up and looked at the brighter side of things in life and was looking forward to what her new path in life would lead her. And even though she was asked to move back to PA with her son and grandchildren, she knew her heart was in her home, on the farm in Bath, NC, which it will now forever remain!
Ruthie is survived by her loving son Robert Bono, her grandchildren Thomas Lee Bono III, Elizabeth Ann Bono, Elizabeth Mary Bono, Tatiana Bono, and Adriana Bono, as well as her sisters Mary Scifres and Dorothy F. Hanlon, and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren, and friends who will continue to celebrate her legacy of love, creativity, and strength.
Ruthie will be remembered for her devotion, her kind and generous heart, and her unwavering positively and determination. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed
No Services are scheduled at this time.
Washington Funeral and Cremation are honored to assist the Bono Family.
