RuthJONESA TRIBUTE TO RUTH I JOHNS, Born 1934 - Died 21-09-2025
Ruth described herself in one of her letters to me as an 'International Quaker'. In another letter she wrote: "When will women and men understand what life is about. The answer is, love and peace". She was inclusive, sincere, and embracing in all she did. She loved the 'community ethos' and looked for voluntary talent at every turn. Her unbridled enthusiasm was infectious, and my husband and I were infected after reading her books, 'Nottingham's Family First 1965-2005' and 'Life Goes On' about her work as a social pioneer at The Croft, Albert Road, Alexandra Park, Nottingham. This started as a pioneering, non-institutionalised housing project for young, lone mothers. A revolutionary idea. We met in 2013. She spotted our practical skills and was able to turn them to good volunteer use. She did this time and again to good effect. Ruth had intellect and great prowess, but most importantly, she possessed a rare emotional intelligence which endeared her to many people. She loved talking and listening to people, and often a smile from Ruth was enough to put people at their ease and a conversation would ensue. A tall, commanding figure, she was always determined to fight against injustice, and had a great sense of fair play, campaigning tirelessly on many fronts. She was lucid to the last, and became an idealist buried under layers of age. Despite her painful and restrictive suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Sicca Syndrome and Sjogren's Syndrome, nothing escaped her notice. Ruth loved Nottingham, and her spirit will live on through her books which have been distributed by my husband and myself to venues around the city. The book, 'St Ann's, Nottingham, Inner City Voices' is now considered as an artefact on a purely aesthetic level and many people in St Ann's and beyond who own a copy, will now be able to indulge in the nostalgia invoked by Ruth's writing. Many people will remember Ruth as a 'lovely woman'. In another of her letters she wrote "I hate being in no man's land, but that I accept and await whatever". Ruth's wait is over and our community historian and archivist, our campaigner and social innovator, our writer and publisher is with us no more. Society will be impoverished without her. Pamela Ellison Ilkeston
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