Ann Manuel Ruffin's Obituary
Ann Manuel Ruffin died peacefully at Oak Hammock on March 26th surrounded by her family. Ann was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
Ann was born on October 18, 1926 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where she met her beloved husband, Buck in kindergarten. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Randolph Macon College in 1947 where she won the American Legion Award. She married Buck in 1949 and supported him through medical school in North Carolina.
In 1959 Ann and Buck moved to Gainesville. Ann lived a rich and wonderful life filled with family, friends and travel. She was a member of the Junior League, the Medical Guild of Shands Hospital, the Daylily Garden Circle and the Thursday Bridge Club. She was a communicant at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Gainesville. Memories of good times with Ann will comfort her many saddened friends.
Ann loved travelling and fishing. She was a licensed pilot and she travelled all over the world. She fished in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Mexico, Ireland and the Keys. At one time she held several fishing world records. Ann was a voracious reader and a dedicated fan of Carl Hiaasen. Authors will miss her.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Oak Hammock and Haven Hospice for their kindness and attention that they gave to Ann while she was there.
Ann leaves a large, saddened family. Her husband William C Ruffin,her brother Thomas Brown Manuel, Jr. and life companion Gertrude Barnes predeceased her. She is survived by four children, Ann Dillard Sampson of Rumson, NJ, William C. Ruffin of Jacksonville, FL; Thomas Brown Ruffin of Ponte Vedra, FL; G. Wilder Ruffin of Gainesville, FL and companion, Beulah Carroll of Gainesville, FL. In addition she is survived by 8 grandsons and 1 granddaughter and 2 great grandchildren. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 11 am at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 N.E. 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to Holy Trinity or the charity of your choice.
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