Ruth Osborne Rouleau Obituary
Ruth Osborne Rouleau, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the age of 96. Born in Syracuse, New York, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Clara Osborne. Ruth met the love of her life, Wil, while they were students at Carnegie Tech, and they were married in 1954 at the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill by the Reverend Hugh S. Clark.
Ruth is survived by her sons Richard Rouleau and wife Susan of Beaverton, OR, and Keith Rouleau and wife Elizabeth of Clifton, VA; her grandchildren Stephen, Michael, Ryan, Mary Katherine, and Patrick; and her great grandson Oliver.
A 1948 graduate of Mount Lebanon High School, Ruth went on to earn her Bachelor's degree in English from the Margaret Morrison Carnegie College at Carnegie Tech in 1952, followed by a Master's degree in Library Science in 1953. She began her career as a children's librarian at the East Cleveland Public Library, and after two years returned to Pittsburgh to marry Wil. Ruth continued her lifelong passion for teaching and literacy through her work as a children's librarian at Saint Edmund's Academy and the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
Ruth cherished the outdoors, especially the family's annual camping and hiking trips to the Adirondack Mountains. She delighted in pausing along the trails to admire and study alpine flowers and fauna, sharing her curiosity and knowledge with her family.
Gardening was one of Ruth's greatest joys. A devoted member of the Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society of America since 1975, she served terms as both president and horticultural chair. As a master gardener, she spent 40 years helping to maintain the Elizabethan Garden in Mellon Park and sharing her love of herbs with the public, including teaching an herb class at Phipps Conservatory for 19 years. In 2008, she was honored with the Helen de Conway Little Medal of Honor for her outstanding contributions to the Herb Society of America. Ruth and Wil also treasured their travels, especially two memorable trips to England where they explored castles, cathedrals, gardens, and historic sites.
Ruth and Wil were devoted members of the Church of the Redeemer for more than 70 years, beginning as college students in the Canterbury Club led by Reverend Hugh S. Clark. Ruth found deep joy in supporting and participating in countless activities within the Redeemer community throughout her life.
A memorial and interment service will be held at the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill, 5700 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, beginning at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Ruth's memory to the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill at the following link: Ruth Rouleau. Memorial Donation (https://give.tithe.ly). Memories can be posted to the following Thomas L. Nied Funeral Home website: Ruth Rouleau Obituary PageArrangements entrusted to the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME INC. 7441 Washington Street, Swissvale.
