Ruth Ann Kerrigan Newman, 96

Corporate Secretary

1927 to 2023

Ruth Ann Kerrigan Newman, 96, of Skillman died Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Parker in Monroe Township, where she spent the last year. 

Born in 1927 in Mount Vernon, NY, Ruth was the daughter of Stanley and Helen Kerrigan and the eldest of three children. She graduated from Highland Park High School in NJ, and was a secretary and administrative assistant throughout her life.

Prior to her marriage, she worked for top executives at Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick. She was a secretary at Somerset Medical Center for over 25 years, and later, Somerset Rehabilitation Services. Finally, despite her aversion to cats, she was the bookkeeper at Harlingen Veterinary Clinic, her daughter’s practice, for many years. 

Ruth married Peter Henry Newman in 1961 and the couple settled in Bound Brook, where they lived for 49 years and raised a family. Ruth was a dedicated wife and mother, and an accomplished cook and baker. Combining her talents, she typed up her recipes with personal notations (Christine’s favorite! or VG!), filling three-ringed binders for each of her children and a few other lucky individuals. Dessert was her favorite meal and she always, always, had dark chocolate in the house. For most of her life, Ruth would spend the early part of December baking hundreds of cookies for friends and family. The best part of the holidays for many families was receiving a plate of cookies from Ruth. 

In 2012, Ruth and Pete moved to Skillman to be near their daughter Christine, who helped manage Pete’s care. A few years after Pete’s death in 2015, Ruth moved to Monroe Township to live with her devoted sister, Jeanne Kerrigan. Jeanne patiently attended to Ruth in recent years, ensuring she had company, conversation, a full glass of iced tea, and cookies and chocolate nearby. 

In addition to sister Jeanne, Ruth is survived by her three children: daughter Dr. Christine A. Newman and her wife, Eileen Bruns of Skillman, NJ; son, Peter H. Newman and his wife, Jennifer Newman of Marysville, WA; and son, Dr. Paul G. Newman and his wife, Barbara Newman of Lancaster, PA.

Her grandchildren and great-granddaughter also survive her: Matthew Newman, Esq., and his wife, Dr. Marianne Wallis of Denver, CO; Michael Newman, his wife Jennifer Newman Gutierrez, and their daughter Lucero Rose, of Lake Stevens, WA; Bradley Newman of Middleton, WI; Tyler Newman of New Orleans, LA; and Meredith and Paige Newman of Lancaster, PA. Ruth’s brother, Robert Kerrigan, died in 2009; her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Kerrigan of Libertyville, IL, survives her, as do many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial and a celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at a later date. Interment will be private, under the care of Hillsborough Funeral Home, 796 US-206, Hillsborough, NJ.

Ruth will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her memory to the Community Food Bank of NJ or a charity of your choosing.