Obituary of Ruth Gutt

Ruth Gutt died peacefully in her home in New Canaan, CT on August 20th, 2024, at the age of 96. Ruth is survived by her five children, Marla, Mark, Karen, Christian, Thomas; their wives Lisa, Pascale and Cydny; her grandchildren Valentine, Louise, Elyssa, Lilah; and her great granddaughter Maïa.

Ruth was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on February 17th,1928, where she began her lifelong love of nature. In third grade she was selected to take an art course at Carnegie Mellon. She served as a First Lieutenant Air Force nurse in Tripoli during the Korean war and was selected to serve the Queen of Libya. She also met the love of her life, Edwin Frank Gutt, an Air Force pilot and later the Administrative Officer for New Canaan, Ct. Ed wooed her with fresh strawberries and cream flown in from France, then on their second date gave Ruth her first set of oil paints. Ed and Ruth enjoyed a long happy marriage of 55 years.

Their romantic beginnings are beautifully evoked in her memoir titled Will the Real World Please Stand Up, which she wrote in 1970 in between painting, sculpting, and raising five kids.  She created over 65 sculptures and many watercolors, oils, and pastels. She studied at St. Louis University, Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Ecole de Beaux Arts, and the Silvermine Guild School of the Arts. In her quest to make her art eternal, she went to Egypt to see the Pyramids and attended an art and architecture course in Florence, Italy. She sold many pieces locally and won countless prizes, including being awarded “Best in Show” many times. 

She said “My art is a search, a meditation, an affirmation of life. Through these alabaster stones, I have learned to use the rhythms and balances of nature to shape timeless universal forms.”

She became a dog handler for her beloved Australian Terrier, Champion Dante, who also won many ribbons, enough to compete in the Westminster Dog Show.

She raised five children with great love and devotion, giving them each an emblematic gift to guide them in developing their unique individual lives.

Ruth modeled the value of care and reciprocity. She fostered many friendships and cared deeply for all the people in her life.  She advocated for nurturing our planet and being kind to each other. She often said, “I don’t worry” and “Just laugh!” All who were lucky to know her will carry on her message of love, compassion, kindness, and joy. 

A memorial service will be held at Saint Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT on Saturday August 31 at 10:00 am.  Afterwards friends are welcome to bring a chair and a simple picnic to gather at Waveny Park near the outdoor fitness/ exercise area which is off the main road and near the sports fields and castle. For enquiries about her art, please email Karen at chopsycab@gmail.com.

Please click on the link for the live church service. https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-ruth-ann-gutt-jvgh8imard5gpmqlemzm