Obituary of Ruth Slezak

Ruth (nee Wyckoff) Slezak, age 72, of Pompton Plains passed away on Friday, April 19, 2013 after a 2½-year struggle with ovarian cancer. Ruth was born in New Brunswick and spent her youth in Hasbrouck Heights and Bedminster. Following graduation from Bernards High School, she attended St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in New York City. Ruth married and raised five children, first in Teaneck and later in Saddle River. When her children were older, Ruth resumed her nursing studies, earning a bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's College (Maine) and becoming an R.N. For 19 years she was a nurse and supervisor at the Eastern Christian Children's Retreat in Wyckoff. In 1991 Ruth moved to Mahwah, the same year she became a grandmother. During this chapter of her life, Ruth took great pleasure in her grandchildren; gourmet cooking (which she shared generously with family and friends); and activities at the Emerson Bible Church (where she'd been a faithful member since 1971). Ruth moved to Cedar Crest (Pompton Plains) in 2003. Ruth recalled the happiest times of her life were spent in Roadstown (NJ) as a child at her grandparents' home. Ruth will be buried in Roadstown at the Cohansey Baptist Church Cemetery. Ruth is survived by her five children: Nancy Adriance (and husband Tim) of Bergenfield; Martha Slezak of Tenafly; Kathy Slezak of Allentown, PA; Bob Slezak of Grayson, GA; and Patty Slezak of Ringwood. Ruth's grandchildren are John, Jeanette, and Lauren Adriance; and Stephen Slezak. Ruth is also survived by a brother, Jim Wyckoff (and wife Terry) of Severn, MD. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at VanderPlaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff. The funeral service will begin on Wednesday at 5:00 PM in the funeral home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) - North Jersey Chapter, P.O. Box 611, Roseland, NJ 07068 or made online at www.ovarian.org