Sr. Mary Ruth Tamulis, FMM

Sr. Ruth Tamulis, Franciscan Missionary of Mary of 399 Fruit Hill Ave, 94, died on March 4, 2020 at St. Antoine Residence, Smithfield.

She was the daughter of Julius and Isabella (Tubis) Tamulis from Boston. Sr. Ruth entered the FMM in 1948 after receiving a Bachelor’s in Education and Economics from Boston University. After her first vows, Ruth was missioned to Hyderbad, India where she taught in schools run by the FMM and also served in administrative roles. She made her final vows there in 1954.

Sr. Ruth returned to the USA in 1974, studied Theology in Boston College then was missioned to various FMM houses in the USA (including one of the missions with the Navajo people in St. Michael’s, Arizona as well as   Espiritu Sancto School in Fall River, MA) to teach as well as do accounting and pastoral work.

In 2009, Sr. Ruth was missioned to Holy Family Community at Fruit Hill where she was bursar and helped with the Mission Resource Center. She was admitted to the Assisted Living at Fruit Hill, later and was a part of Holy Family Community there where she lent her lovely voice to intone the Allelluia at daily mass and, in less formal moments, could break into any song she thought of remembering all the words. This always delighted the community and all who were present.  She is survived by several nieces and nephews

Visiting hours are at Holy Family Chapel, 399 Fruit Hill Ave, on Monday, March 9 from 4-8 with a Wake Service at 7. The funeral will be Tuesday, March 10 in the same chapel at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Sr. Ruth to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, at the Fruit Hill address in North Providence, RI.