Ruth Bemis dies at 100

Ruth Thomas Bemis, an artist, community leader, and longtime benefactor of local institutions, died on Sunday, September 17, 2006, at her Mount Vernon home, Halcyon Hill. She was 100 years old.

Mrs. Bemis was a founding member of the Brown Family Environmental Center's advisory board, organized in 1997. In 2003, with her financial assistance, the BFEC's Bemis Barn was renovated and enlarged to include an aviary. She also funded the creation of the Bemis Music Room, a classroom and recital space in Peirce Hall.

That room is dedicated to her late husband, John Hay "Jack" Bemis, a 1926 graduate of Kenyon. A talented painter, Mrs. Bemis exhibited her work several times at the College. In recognition of her generosity as well as her artistic accomplishments, Kenyon awarded her an honorary doctor of fine arts degree in 2005.

A memorial service has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Gambier, with Donald L. Rogan officiating. Burial will be in the Kenyon College Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Brown Family Environmental Center, the Church of the Holy Spirit, Hospice of Knox County, or the Knox County Symphony.

A complete obituary for Mrs. Bemis will be published in the winter issue of the Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin .