Ruth P. Wilson passed on June 4, 2026, at the age of 108, having been born on March 12, 1918.
When Wilson celebrated her 100th birthday at the Cos Cob Fire House, hundreds of friends and family members lined up to congratulate her.
A beloved teacher, Wilson was a dedicated educator and mentor to generations of students in Cos Cob, often celebrated locally as the unofficial “Queen of Cos Cob.”
Ruth Wilson and her great grand daughter Eliza Wilson and friend Julia Abbazia at Cos Cob Fire House on March 12, 2018 Photo Leslie Yager
Parks & Rec Director Joe Siciliano with Ruth Wilson, who was born in 1918, the year the Town of Greenwich acquired Island Beach. Mrs. Wilson shared her many memories of summers at Island Beach. Aug 25, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
In 2018 Wilson attended the 100th anniversary of Island Beach, where she shared memories of visiting Island Beach that went back to 1923.
She was born the year Greenwich acquired the island, and first visited it when she was five. Wilson recalled the itchy woolen bathing suits that were de rigeur in 1923. She said her suit had short sleeves and pants that went below the knee, and that her teenage sister’s swim costume was a shapeless black slip, tunic, black stockings and sneakers.
Wilson told the crowd when she was little, her family would stop at Bennett’s store on Steamboat Road and buy a bottle of milk which they would tote inside a paper bag to Island Beach for lunch.
She was a high school student during the Depression, and recalled how Island Beach was a very inexpensive day of fun for unemployed men.
“I was lucky I met my husband here,” she recalled, adding that her husband claimed to have driven his car across the Sound to Long Island the year it froze over.
“This place has been my happy place ever since I was five years old. My kids were practically born here,” she said.
“I brought both of my children here when they were just months old,” she said. “I could leave the carriage with the babies sleeping over there,” she said pointing to the east side of the island. “And I’d go onto the beach while they slept. I don’t think you could do that nowadays.”
Visitation will be held at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch St, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, on June 28, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
A Memorial Service will be held at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT 06830 on June 29, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
From Legacy.com:
Mother, Grandmother, Educator, Friend and Community Treasure
On June 4, 2026, Ruth Wilson was called to Eternal life. Born on March 12, 1918, to Julius Pester and Harriet Choate Pester. Ruth graduated from Cos Cob School in 1931, Greenwich High School in 1935 (second in her class), Danbury State Teachers College in 1939, and received her Master’s in Elementary Education from University of Bridgeport in 1965.
She married Edward Wilson on June 1, 1940, and had two children, Robert Wilson and Janet Wilson Benson. Ruth was a lifelong Cos Cob, CT resident and was affectionately referred to as the unofficial “Queen of Cos Cob”. She taught kindergarten and first grade at Cos Cob School for 28 years. She taught over 1,000 students, generational families, and helped shape many lives.
Ruth was a dedicated volunteer and leader in multiple civic, community, educational, and religious organizations throughout her lifetime. She was an active member of Diamond Hill Methodist Church for 75 years. She was awarded the YWCA BRAVA Award in 1998 for dedicated community service. Ruth was a strong woman who survived the Spanish flu epidemic, World War II, the Depression, living in an orphanage from age 2 to 5 years old, widowed at age 50 and endured Covid-19 five times.
Her “happy place” was Island Beach. She started riding the ferry to the island as a 5-year-old youngster and continued going as long as she was able, introducing her children and grandchildren to this special place. Ruth’s self-proclaimed middle name was ice cream, and she never missed an opportunity to indulge. She traveled to all seven continents, making her last trip to Antarctica at the age of 85. Ruth’s favorite destination was Santorini, Greece.
She lived her deep faith by example with kindness, love, and grace. She was an inspiration and mentor to many. Ruth was grateful for all the people she met along the path of her life’s journey. Her best advice to all would be for you to live your life to the fullest, as she did!
Living to the incredible age of 108, Ruth was predeceased by many loved ones and fondly remembered her connection to each. Most notably, her beloved husband, Edward “Eddie” in 1969 and her devoted son Robert in 2023. As well as her four siblings, Florence Pitman, Ferdinand, Eugene, and Theodore Pester. She is survived by her daughter, Janet Benson (Mashpee, MA), her daughter-in-law, Janet Wilson (Cos Cob, CT), grandchildren, Kimberly Benson (Falmouth, MA), Bill Benson (Hopkins, MN), Marc Wilson (Marietta, GA). Great grandchildren Eliza Wilson, Margot Wilson and Wil Benson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Southern Fairfield County Retired Teachers’ Association (SFCRTA), Scholarship Fund c/o Geraldine Patrizzi 15 Blackberry Ln., Norwalk, CT 06850.