MILFORD, Del.-- Friends, family and community leaders in Delaware gave a final farewell to former Governor Ruth Ann Minner Wednesday afternoon at her second viewing, followed by a funeral service in the Milford Church of Nazarene.
Although it was a very emotional day, many community leaders referred to it as a "celebration of life." Those who knew Ruth Ann Minner shared their personal stories on her work ethic and how she truly was as a servant to her community.Â
Many prominent Delaware politicians were in attendance, including Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Milford Mayor Archie Campbell, and even President Joe Biden who flew in from Washington D.C. to give his closing remarks.
Among the guest of speakers at the funeral service was Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester who made a powerful prayer, and Sen. Tom Carper who read a bible verse.
"Here's a woman who dropped out of school at 16, mother of two or three guys, probably by the time she was 20, lost two husbands, buried two husbands, she didn't have it easy," said Sen. Carper. And man she just prevailed, she prevailed in the face of adversity."
Governor John Carney, who served as lieutenant governor in her administration, said Minner made a historic and inspirational change in nearly every way--public health, education and the environment.
"Ruth Ann was tough, everybody knows that," he said. "Because she had to be, because that's who she was but she was also extremely warm and kind, family came first to her."
J.J (Jennifer) Davis, who was Gov. Minner's cabinet secretary also reminisced on some memorable moments they shared and how her work life was unstoppable.
"I have many great memories of Ruth Ann's wit and humor," she said. "She is simply a force of nature, driving around Milford and Dover in her convertible. Do you all recall that? She could get amendments from legislative hall before anyone saw them, not the chief of staff, not the legislative sometimes, not even the legislatures, no one literally knew how she did it."
State Rep. Bryan Shupe, who previously worked with Minner on issues regarding education said he personally reached out to the family to express his condolences.
"It's a somber day, I am a believer myself, so I know that she is in a better place without pain," Rep. Shupe said. "I called her granddaughter who I worked with in the City of Milford, she was in the city council, and I told her we are here with her today and her family."
The legacy of a woman who broke barriers and never let labels define her, will continue to live on.
Ruth Ann Minner died last Thursday at the age of 86.