Dawn Charlene Ruff, 76, of Independence, passed away in Tunnelton on May 22, 2024, surrounded by friends and family, after a long battle against Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in Gary, Ind. on March 31, 1948, the daughter of the late Charles F. Ruff and Genevieve A. Surbrug.
Dawn attended Miami Southwest High School and graduated from Robert Morgan Vocational Technical Institute with her Licensed Practical Nursing degree in 1982. She then obtained an associate of science degree and became a registered nurse in 1985. In 1998, she earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from West Virginia Wesleyan College and finally obtained a Master of Education degree in 2007. This process was challenging and took a long time, but she never gave up. She was an outstanding role model to those in her life.
Although she made an impact on many lives as a rehabilitation nurse, her true love was school nursing. She was affectionately known for many years as “Nurse Dawn.” She cared for many children with all her heart, especially a boy named Brandon Coleman who she met as a rehab nurse. She was Brandon’s one-on-one nurse throughout his years in school and gave her all to make his life better. They had a lot of fun and loved each other very much. She retired from the Preston County Board of Education in 2011.
Dawn enjoyed going out to eat, talking on the phone with friends and family, cooking and gardening. Dawn also loved going to Senior Monogalians in Morgantown, where she made several new friends. Dawn was also a very generous and kind soul who could spot someone in need and would not hesitate to help in any way she could.
Dawn is survived by two children, Cheryl Lucille Deaner and Thomas David Deaner; five grandchildren, Nichole, Andrew, Angela, Gabriela and Jordan; two nieces, Janet Roberts (Larry) and Linda Neess (Christian) and their children. She was known to many as “Grandma Bunny.”
Dawn is also survived by a special group of lifelong friends who became her family and stood by her in many ways since she moved to West Virginia from Miami in 1982.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter, Katherine Marie DeVault; and her sister, Genevieve Johnson (Roger); Brandon Coleman, who was like a son to her; and two beloved dogs who helped her through hard times, Buddy and Balboa.
A special thanks to Janet’s Heavenly Home in Tunnleton. Janet, Chastity and Sharon gave Dawn exceptional loving care during the final stages of her battle.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers you please consider sending donations in Dawn’s memory to Janet’s Heavenly Home at 1444 South Preston Hwy., Tunnelton, WV 26444, or to Senior Monogalians.
At Dawn’s request, her body will be donated to The Human Gift Registry through WVU for the advancement of science and the study of Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial service will be held in the future.
