Ruth Helen Igoe

Ruth Helen Igoe (nee Kandler) of Norridge passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the age of 93. Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years James Leonard Igoe Jr.

Ruth was born in Chicago on August 5, 1930, to German immigrant parents William and Gertrude Kandler.  She and her sisters Delores (Kandler) Tillman and the late June (Kandler) Dzwonowski grew up in unincorporated Norwood Park (now Norridge) in an apartment above their parent’s store “Kandler’s Foods” at 7404 W. Irving Park.  She attended Steinmetz High School and Northwestern University.

Ruth met the love of her life “Jim” in 1948 while working at the Brach’s candy factory where she inspected cherries and where he was a pipefitter apprentice.  They were married in Fairbanks Alaska on October 2, 1952, and moved back to Norridge after Jim’s military service was complete. They would remain in Norridge and raise seven children: the late James Igoe III, William (Kendra) Igoe, Kathleen (Gary) Bennett, the late Janet (Tom) Justiniano, Deloris Grande, Mark Igoe, and Patricia Mann.

Ruth was the proud grandmother of eleven grandchildren: Jason, Marissa, Traci, Robert, Gina, Kristina, Brian, Tara, Alexis, James, and Daniel.   She was blessed with six great grandchildren: Gianna, Brooklynne, Aubrey, Owen, Kelsey, and Phoebe.  She was the adored aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Besides being a remarkable mom, grandmother, friend and neighbour, Ruth was a dedicated member of her community.  In the late 1960’s Ruth and a small group of people in the area formed an organization called the “Friends of the Library for Norridge-Harwood Heights”.   They began to do what was necessary to get a library in the community started.    From that small group the Eisenhower Library came to fruition and to this day continues to thrive.    She was on the library board for nearly 30 years where she served as Secretary and Board president.  She was delighted when the new library building opened and felt that at last our towns had a community centre that all could enjoy.  The library was Ruth’s proudest achievement. 

Ruth was a devoted servant of God and an active member of Acacia Park Lutheran Church for over 80 years.   She was on the church council, became the first woman council president, led the altar guild for many years, and if you were an acolyte in the 1960’s through 1980’s you probably knew “Mrs. Igoe”.  She worked in the church courtyard garden for many summers where she was able to bring beauty for all to enjoy.

Truly a selfless giver to the end, Ruth chose to donate her body to the Anatomical Society in hopes of helping others and furthering research and education.

A service in celebration of Ruth’s life will be held on Saturday, July 6th at 11am at Acacia Park Lutheran Church 4307 N. Oriole Ave. Norridge.