Obituaries

Ruth Reeves Dow, the first baby born in the city of Newport News on January 1, 1931, died on Monday, July 27, 2026. Mrs. Dow was a native of Newport News and a graduate of Newport News High School, class of June 1948.

Mrs. Dow is survived by her son, Dr. Steven Dow, and daughter-in-law Dr. Robyn Elmslie of Fort Collins, Colorado, daughter Heather Dow of Ruckersville, Virginia, grandson Cooper Dow and his wife Emily Dow and great-grandsons Milo and Bennett Dow of Arvada, Colorado, cousin Joan Faulkner of Richmond, Virginia, numerous New England cousins and family friend Pam Pipes.

Mrs. Dow was predeceased by her parents William Thomas Casey Reeves and Ruth Bridgers Reeves, aunt and uncle James and Etta Bridgers, husband Marvin B. Dow, grandson Sawyer Dow and friend/sister of 90 years Virginia Smith.

Mrs. Dow was employed as a secretary at NACA (now NASA) and the Newport News Public Schools where she was a member of the Newport News Association of Office Personnel. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Circle No. 2 and the Fellowbury Sunday School Class. She was a Girl Scout leader and volunteered at Riverside Hospital and in the Newport News Public Schools.

Mom was a lifelong resident of Newport News and developed a love affair with the James River after spending many a day with “Daddy and Virginia” exploring the river in a little rowboat. As a teen, she spent days with Virginia and Barbara Rollins sunbathing on Buckroe Beach. Mom enjoyed family adventures on the James River and Chesapeake Bay in a succession of family boats, whether on picnics on a beach near the Idle Fleet, waterskiing, or in the family pursuit of bluefish and citation rockfish at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Mom loved being on the water, “the rougher the better” (provided no lightning), and it was her savings bonds that enabled the purchase of the first family boat. Mom was well-read, stayed extremely informed about current events, and was a passionate fan of UVA’s Tony Bennett and UVA basketball. She loved visiting the Lion’s Bridge, especially when the Christmas wreaths were in place, and walking on the Noland Trail.

Mom had wide and varied interests and took such joy in life, and her exceptional kindness and uncommon generosity were shared with so many. Though petite in stature, Mom possessed enormous strength and determination (as anyone who tried to pick up the check in her presence discovered). Mom freely offered her firmly believed “advice” but it always came from a place of love and caring.

Mom cherished the loving relationships with her “Yankee family” and numerous wonderful and devoted friends. Her cousin Joan Faulkner, “Church” and Nancy Hoover and Kim White were a constant source of love for Mom. Mom cherished her “Yates gang” – Vivian Fields, Brenda Giles, Linda Jones and Lucille Edwards and the many laughs they shared.

The family would like to thank the many devoted friends and family who shared their love and support with Mom by sending cards, flowers, gifts and visiting, calling and texting with her throughout her life. Thank you to Rob Elliott for continually checking on Mom and letting her know what time the UVA game started and thank you to Judy Harrell and Carol Boysen for shared outings and messages of support. Thank you to Dr. Denise Duhon for her excellent care. Our sincere thanks to Yeila and Reuben Rivera and Juanita and Robert Fields, whose care and love helped Mom stay in her home and live independently as long as she did and continued to visit and care for Mom at the Newport. Thanks also to Mom’s neighbors, who looked out for her always.

The family expresses their gratitude and thanks to the staff at the Newport Post Acute facility for their care of our Mom, and thank you to Karen, Terry, and Tina, who were especially devoted to Mom. It was Tina who recently so beautifully and accurately described Mom saying “she is joy and love.” Thank you to Angie Judkins-Taylor, Mom’s former roommate at the Newport, who became a treasured friend. We sincerely thank the staff members from VHS Hospice who cared for Mom with such compassion.

Words can never adequately express our immense gratitude to Pam Pipes for the extraordinary love, friendship, and caregiving she provided our Mom when they were neighbors and after Mom moved into care facilities. Pam’s devotion and love brightened and enhanced Mom’s daily life, and we are forever grateful.

Per Mom’s wishes, there are no funeral services planned. If you wish to honor Mom, do something kind and generous for a friend or stranger. If you so choose, charities Mom supported include the ALS Association (https://www.als.org) and the American Cancer Society (Newport News chapter- 11835 Canon Blvd., Suite A102, Newport News, 23606 or https://www.cancer.org), or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.