Sally Ruetzler, daughter of John and Jesse Longbotham of Livingston,
New Jersey, and longtime resident of both Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and
Warren, Vermont, died Wednesday afternoon, November 4, 2009, after a
long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 70 years old.
Sally was a fixture in the small village of Warren where she met her
husband of 17 years, Paul Ruetzler. Paul, originally from Austria, was
a pioneer of the Sugarbush ski resort near their home there and remains
a well-regarded woodworking artisan, carpenter and builder. Sally was a
loving mother and grandmother who was physically active and inspired
her children and those around her to live healthy lifestyles. A lovely
mezzo soprano, she enjoyed singing for others and was a member of
several choral groups throughout her life both in her native New Jersey
and Warren, Vermont.
Sally was an avid skier, tennis player and distinguished herself more
than 30 years ago as a member of Jackie Sorenson's ground-breaking
Aerobic Dancing fitness coaching team. Shortly after her stint with
Jackie Sorenson, she broke out on her own and established Totally
Fitting, Inc., a personal fitness training business.
Sally loved to travel and throughout her life was an active member of
several organizations and clubs in both Vermont and New Jersey
including the Sugarbush Ski Club 10 and Mad River Chorale in Vermont;
Junior League of Glen Ridge, the Hum-Dingers singing group of
Montclair, the Orange Lawn Tennis Club of South Orange and the Normandy
Beach Yacht Club in New Jersey. Sally was also a longtime member and
active contributor to the congregation of Christ Episcopal Church in
Glen Ridge, New Jersey.
Sally is predeceased by her cousin Morgan Longbotham of Glen Ridge, New
Jersey, and Boston, Massachusetts, and is survived by her husband Paul
Ruetzler of Warren, Vermont, and her stepsons Greg Ruetzler of Warren
and Dean Ruetzler of Iwata, Japan; two children from her first marriage
to Bruce Bertholon, Denise Friaz of Orange County, California, and John
Bertholon of Jersey City, NJ; son-in-law David Frias of Orange County,
California, and four grandchildren, Carolyn Frias, Daniel Frias,
Camille Bertholon and Pauline Bertholon.
In lieu of flowers Sally's family requests that contributions be made
toward the research and cure of ovarian cancer. A memorial service will
be held for Sally on Saturday, November 21, at 2 p.m. at the Warren
United Church of Christ on Main Street in Warren, Vermont 05674.
A reception will be held at the home of Sally and Paul Ruetzler
immediately following the memorial service (Ruetzler - Woods Road
North, East Warren, VT).
