Ruth Brenner Taffe

Ruth Brenner Taffe and Jack Westerfield Taffe passed away within days of each other, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion that spanned nearly 70 years. They met in Naples in the mid 1950’s and only had eyes for each other from that day forward.

Ruth Brenner was born in Rising Sun, Indiana in 1929. Her family eventually settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she attended high school, as well as the University of Cincinnati, before moving to Naples. Ruth worked as a legal secretary prior to becoming a mother. She volunteered at many community organizations including churches, school associations, the YWCA, Welcome Wagon, and Naples Ballet. She was a loving mother who encouraged her children to pursue their interests, serving as chauffeur, cheerleader, and comforter as needed.

Jack Taffe was born in Chicago Illinois in 1931. He fondly remembered his childhood in Chicago and on his family‘s farm in Davenport, Iowa. Jack attended Kemper Military School in Missouri, Saint Ambrose Academy and Saint Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. Jack’s love for flying started as a teenager and was a passion he would embrace his entire life. His path would lead him to become a Major in the Marines serving his country as a carrier based fighter pilot in the Korean War and culminating in 34 years of service as an airline pilot with Capital Airlines and then United Airlines.

Ruth and Jack married in 1957 and made many places home due to Jack’s career, though always returning to Florida. They most recently resided for 35 years in the home they designed and built on Marco Island. Jack and Ruth thoroughly enjoyed the retirement years. Jack enjoyed staying physically active with tennis, boating, diving, and swimming laps as recently as a week before his death. Ruth gathered regularly with her friends from Naples, coordinated gatherings of local pilot’s wives (Winglettes) and playing bridge weekly. An annual highlight was the Winglette Christmas party, which Ruth would start planning the summer before, identifying a theme, writing an invitational poem and making elaborate centerpieces and nametags. Together, Ruth and Jack, volunteered with hospice, teaching English language learners at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, and occasionally hosting coffee hours following church services. Both experienced a number of health struggles the last several years. Despite his health struggles, Jack refused to leave Ruth alone in this world, and also refused to remain here without her. Ruth passed away on November 21, 2024 and Jack followed her to heaven on November 25, 2024.

The Taffes are survived by their daughters, Tricia Carver (Andrew) of Oxford, England, and Amy Marenick (Rob) of Pennsylvania, their grandchildren, Gordon (Heather), Ginger, Alexander, Tessa, all of England, Jackie of Georgia and Robby of Virginia, great grandchildren, Patrick and Grace of England as well as many nieces and nephews.

In honor of Ruth and Jack’s abiding love for each other, please honor them by celebrating your love with another in lieu of, flowers or donations.