Ruth Fullen

Elsie Ruth Fullen

February 23, 2019

 On Saturday, February 23, the beautiful life of musician and music educator, Ruth (Young) Fullen, ended with a final bow. She was born February, 1926, in Louisville, KY, to Myles James and Margaret Young. Ruth lived a full, passionate life of incredible music and artistry. She began performing at the early age of five singing Beautiful Savior at her Methodist Church in Louisville. She continued her love of music by performing at various church functions and events around the city with her sisters, Margie and Jeannie, as The Young Sisters. While attending Shawnee High School, she played the double bass in a youth orchestra that met weekly at the Young Women’s Hebrew Association. Occasionally, servicemen stationed at Fort Knox were invited to join the youth symphony during rehearsals to play along. This is where Ruth first met Leslie Eugene “Gene” Fullen, who later became her husband.

Upon graduating high school in 1943, Ruth attended the Jordan Conservatory of Music at Butler University where she lived in the Benjamin Harrison House. The Arthur Jordan Foundation used this house as a dormitory for the female music students who were enrolled in the Conservatory. She graduated in 1948 with a degree in Music Education, married Gene in June of that year, and the two of them moved to Salina, KS where she started her family and teaching career.

In 1952, Ruth and Gene, with children Sally and Dave, moved to Columbus, OH. She continued her teaching career at Plain City High School where she taught band and English, and Gene began working at the CBS affiliate, WBNS. In 1957, they welcomed Kevin into the world, and in 1959, the five of them moved to the Hilliard area where she taught at North Franklin. It was during this time that the Fullen family joined Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. Ruth took a few years off from teaching in 1961, when their fourth child, Brian, was born. In 1965, Ruth began her illustrious 27-year teaching career with Hilliard City Schools, bringing her love of music and arts to thousands of students, and mentoring educators of future generations. Ruth explained, “ I tried to make it fun, to teach not only songs, but the good concepts of music…in a way that the students enjoyed. Music is tied into many academic areas. We teach so many things in music--reading, math, social studies...these are perfect examples of how to integrate music and academic subjects.”

Ruth was a 60-year member of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. She formed the children’s choir in the 1960’s, was an active member of the senior choir, and assisted in the serving of Holy Communion. She often used her gifts to touch the lives of others by singing and playing piano at area senior communities. On several occasions, she performed as Mary, the Mother of Jesus in the UALC production of the passion play, Tetélestai.

Ruth retired from teaching in June of 1993 after 35 years and was honored at the Hilliard Education Foundation’s Evening of Excellence. “Teachers-The Continuing Inspiration” fund-raiser. But that was only her first act. In September of 1993, Ruth began performing with the Grandparents Living Theater(GLT)/Senior Repertory of Ohio (SRO) Theater Company, served as secretary of the SRO Board of Trustees, and directed the SRO’s Women’s Choral Ensemble. She performed starring roles in GLT/SRO’s touring shows, I Was Young…Now I’m Wonderful; I Do, I Do; A Picket Fence; Two Kids and a Dog Named Spot?; Celebration; Underground Railroad. She also appeared in their productions of All Night Strut; The World Goes Round; It’s A Grand Night For Singing; and Ha! Ha! Club; Follies, Evita; and Stars and Stripes, among others. Additionally, she loved performing in the Hilliard Arts Council’s summer theater productions of Cabaret, Carnival, South Pacific, and Pippin.

Ruth served as President of the Columbus Alumna Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota National Professional Music Fraternity for Women, was elected to the board for the Women in Music, Columbus, was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), sang with the Len Foster Big Band, and played string bass with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Women in Music Columbus Orchestra, and in the pit orchestra of several musicals, including Hilliard High School. In June of 2004, she was inducted into the Columbus Senior Musicians’ Hall of Fame, and in 2011 she received the Harold Award for Lifetime Achievement from the theatre Roundtable.

In her down time, Ruth loved tending to her flowers, hosting backyard cookouts, and gathering her family for the holidays. She enjoyed watching classic movies as well as the Kentucky Derby and appreciated anyone who joined her. Ruth also loved to swim. Each spring she looked forward to opening her swimming pool for friends and family to enjoy. Granddaughters Abby and Emma remember Ruth always stopping what she was doing to greet them with a warm smile and a “yoo-hoo!” On summer evenings, as the sun dipped behind the trees, Ruth shared a cool beverage with her guests and waited for “the Count,” the resident bat, to fly across the pool. Precious, lazy evenings were common at her home, watching the birds and the deer, while reminiscing about stories of her life and proudly expressing her love for her grandchildren. Best of all, she never let you leave without a hug and a kiss.

Music has been a long-standing tradition throughout Ruth’s family and extended family. Her mother, Margaret Young, better known as Mommy Lamb, used to sing the song May You Always to her daughters at the end of a family gathering, a family event, or a peaceful night on the Ohio River. Ruth continued this family tradition by singing this song to her children and grandchildren whenever possible, as a benediction to love, laughter and dreams fulfilled, making this song a special legacy to those who, undoubtedly, have followed in her musical footsteps. Ruth’s legacy will live on in her children and grandchildren for years to come, with no end in sight.

May You Always (circa 1958, lyrics by Larry Markes)

May you always, walk in sunshine, slumber warm when night winds blow

May you always, live with laughter, for a smile becomes you so.

May good fortune, find your doorway, may the bluebird sing your song

May no trouble travel your way, may no worry stay too long.

May your heartaches be forgotten, may no tears be spilled,

May old acquaintance be remembered, and your cup of kindness filled…and

May you always be a dreamer, may your wildest dreams come true

May you find someone to love, as much as I Love You.

Before Ruth passed, her grandson Jason asked what her secret was? Her simple response, “Love.” 

Elsie “Ruth” (Young) Fullen is preceded in death by her parents Myles James and Margaret Young, husband Leslie Eugene “Gene” Fullen, and sister Marjorie Bayer. She is survived by her daughter Sara Margaret “Sally” Germanaro (David), sons Dave (Laura), Kevin (Jodi Leis), and Brian (Chris), her 10 grandchildren Erin Wegner (Richard), Alan Utley (Melissa), Matthew Fullen (Kari), Jason Fullen (Anna), Audra Ruth Fullen, Abigail Fullen, Myles Fullen, Faith Fullen, Emma Fullen, and Mark Fullen, three great grandchildren (with another on the way) Levi Fullen, Avery Fullen, and Everett Fullen, and sister Jeannette Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 26, from 5-8 pm, and a Celebration of Life service, followed by a reception, will be held on Wednesday, February 27 at 10:30 am at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43026