RUTH THOMPSON SULLIVAN ADMIRE's Obituary
Ruth Thompson Sullivan Admire died Friday, March 22, 2024 at her home in South Miami, Florida. She was 95. Ruth was born October 25, 1928 in Miami, Florida, the daughter of Ruth Thompson and John Sullivan. After attending Florida State University, Ruth received degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Florida and in 1998 was granted an honorary doctorate from the South Florida Center for Theological Studies. In 1948 she married Jack Admire (1927-2015), her husband for nearly sixty-seven years and together they raised their six children in Coral Gables.
Ruth’s life was not only dedicated to her large family but also to her love of civic philanthropy. She served as a president of the Junior League of Miami, was an original board member of CHARLEE, and was an advisory board member of the KRISTI HOUSE and the Human Services Coalition. She was a long-time member of Riviera Presbyterian Church in which she served as an elder and an adult Sunday school teacher. For over thirty years Ruth was the Administrator and a Trustee of ten local foundations which were created by clients of her family’s law firm, Sullivan, Admire & Sullivan. Grants from these foundations helped improve the lives of thousands, and helped make this community a better, safer place to live. Ruth was a strong supporter and active advocate for public education. She was involved for more than twenty years on many different levels toward the goal of enabling the right of all children to secure a quality education. She believed public education to be a political, economic and moral imperative. She was a gifted poet. Ruth would write poems that celebrated birthdays, weddings, graduations and any special occasion. She had a keen wit and enjoyed a play on words. She loved silly songs, playing the piano, card games and ballroom dancing. And for her, there was no greater outing than the hunt for antiques and folk art collectibles. Ruth is survived by her children, Ruth Admire, John Admire (Pam), Valerie Baggs (Mahoney), Susan Admire and Mary LeDuc (Dana), and twelve grandchildren, Ruthie, Thompson, Grier, Tricia, Bobby, Ramsey, Julian, Elliott, Victoria, Alec, Danny, Becca, and seven great-grandchildren, Young Brave, Pina Ruth, Celis Day, William, Leila, Andrew and Adison. She was predeceased by her son, Robert Admire (Rosa) and her husband, Jack.
The family will hold a private memorial service, which will be live-streamed May 24, 3:00 p.m. at https://youtube.com/live/1VvJhz69-Fs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Admire Family Foundation (Sullivan, Admire & Sullivan, 2555 Ponce de Leon #320 Coral Gables, Fl 33134) to enable it to continue its legacy of support of local non-profit organizations or to a charity of your choice.
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