Ruth M. (Finnigan) Wilkins, 86, of Allentown [Obituary]

Ruth M. (Finnigan) Wilkins, 86, of Allentown, formerly of Hellertown, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 in her home. She was the wife of the late Eugene E. Wilkins, who died April 12, 2013. She was born in Manhattan, N.Y., on Nov. 2, 1926 to the late Thomas P. and Ruth (Vogan) Finnigan. Ruth worked at Horn & Hardart during the war, and after marrying settled in Hellertown. Through the years she worked at various places including Grant’s, Moravian Academy and Moll Monumental Crafts. She was a devout Catholic and faithful member of the Church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown. She was best known for her involvement in the church where, among many jobs, she lectured, counted the collection and cleaned the church. She also volunteered for the parish carnival, the spaghetti and fish dinners, and New Beginnings. She was a member of its Women’s Guild and a volunteer at the soup kitchen at New Bethany Ministries. 

SURVIVORS

Daughter: Susan M. Barnhart, wife of the late John, with whom she resided, and their children: Sarah Bologna (Michael) and Jonathan; son: George T. and his wife Pamela of Macungie and their children: Alex (Sylvia) and Riley; great-grandchildren: Hailey Fatzinger and Nathan Bologna. Also a daughter Ruth F. wife of Al Fatzinger of New Tripoli; son: Eugene L. and his wife Bonnie of Hellertown; daughter: Kathryn I. wife of Scott Werst of Emmaus; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband; two brothers: Thomas and Francis; and son-in-law: John Barnhart.     

SERVICE

Family and friends are invited to call from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 326 Main St., Hellertown. The calling hour will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at the church, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown. The interment will conclude services at Union Cemetery of Hellertown. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com. 

CONTRIBUTIONS     

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown, PA 18055.