Ruth Elizabeth Challinor

Age 91, of Mt. Lebanon, passed away on February 24, 2018 at Providence Point. She was born on December 1, 1926 in Pottsgrove, PA to Reverend George R. Groninger and Marian Zimmerman Groninger.  She graduated from State College High School in 1944 and Penn State University in 1948 with a degree in music education. She was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority and throughout her life was an avid fan of Penn State football. She met her future husband, Samuel Boyd Challinor, M.D., on a blind date at Penn State and they married on June 18, 1949. He preceded her in death in 2017 after 68 years of marriage. Ruth taught music in Ebensburg, PA and at the Lee School in Pittsburgh. Once her husband’s medical practice was established in Mt. Lebanon, she became a homemaker and a devoted member of Southminster Presbyterian church, where her beautiful soprano voice was often heard in the choir. Ruth was a member of St. Clair Country Club, a docent for the Carnegie Museum of Art, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, an active tennis player and a bookkeeper for her husband’s medical practice. She enjoyed playing the piano, sunsets on the beach in Florida, spending time with her grandchildren, gathering with her girlfriends for bridge club, and most of all, traveling the world with her family, friends and husband. She was always beautiful, loving, gracious and calm and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her two daughters, Sue Challinor, M.D. (Matt Teplitz) of Pittsburgh and Linda Challinor (Ben Zamore) of Winchester, VA; four beloved grandchildren, David Gorlow, Sarah Gorlow, William Teplitz, and Allegra Zamore; her brother, George Groninger of Derwood, MD and brother- in-law, Robert Challinor, M.D.; niece, Carole Challinor and nephew Robert Challinor. A memorial service and reception will take place at the end of March, on March 30, 2018 at 4:30 PM, in the Chapel and Chartiers room of Providence Point, 500 Providence Point Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA  15243. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name can be made to the Pittsburgh Symphony or Southminster Presbyterian church.

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