Ruth Love Boehning, nee Jerkens, born Jan. 2, 1928, left this life peacefully on Feb. 3, 2015. She was 87, and the widow of Richard H. Boehning of East Islip, N.Y., Mill Spring and Tryon, N.C.

She is survived by her three children: Margaret Love Boehning-Bymel of Wheeling Ill., Barbara Ruth Chambers (Boehning) of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Andrew Richard Boehning, of Dix Hills, N.Y.; and her brother H. Allen Jerkens; seven grandchildren, seven grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, their children, cousins and many, many good friends.

Ruth was a great wife, wonderful mother and an outstanding educator. Her desire to teach children, early on, was very strong. She began her career in the basement of the United Methodist Church of Islip, N.Y. working with children with disabilities in the late 60s.

She went on to receive a BA in elementary education from Adelphi Suffolk College on Long Island, N.Y., magna cum laude. She then went on to receive a MA in elementary education from Adelphi College and taught in the New York school system in Central Islip, N.Y., and then the North Carolina public school system in Rutherfordton and Tryon.

Later, she earned a second MA in special education from Converse College, and worked at Isothermal College teaching students reading skills and was a coordinator for services for the handicapped.

Ruth spent the last 10 years of her teaching career working with the students at the Tryon Elementary School evaluating and instructing them on learning how to master the necessary skills associated with multiple forms of learning disabilities. She was very highly respected by her fellow teachers and was always grateful to the principal, Mr. Williams, and those teachers who understood the need for this and for giving her the opportunity to bring her skills and knowledge to those children. She also tutored adults. Ruth was the recipient of many awards and letters of commendation for excellence in teaching.

Teaching was only one of her passions. As a young woman, she entered a singing contest, won, and was invited to sign a contract with MGM Studios in Hollywood, Calif. She finished high school there in the studio school with the likes of Mickey Rooney, Jane Powell and Elizabeth Taylor.

After graduating high school, she entered Los Angeles City College, but after the early passing of her mother, decided it was not for her and returned home. She continued to sing in church and at weddings for many years.

I would like to express our family’s love and gratitude to those who knew and admired our mother. We will all miss her very much. She was uniquely special.

A memorial service is planned for this coming spring at the United Methodist Church in Columbus, N.C. A formal announcement will be made when a date is chosen.