PRESS RELEASE:
TO THE FRIENDS OF LEIGHTON GALLERIES
We are saddened to inform you of the passing of my sister Ruth Leighton-Baker. Ruthi died at home in Massachusetts on February 11th after a two-year battle with liver and lung cancer. She was 48 years old. She passed peacefully in the loving surround of her family, and again, our family Pastors Dick and Steve were there to help us through it.
Ruthi helped us start the auction business nearly 20 years ago. Many of you who have been with us early on will remember her from the auctions and tag sales. She worked with us for many years until she got married and moved back to Massachusetts.
Ruthi leaves two daughters, Kendra 24, and Courtney 21, our father Harvey, myself and two brothers Karl and Frank, many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, and two grand nephews Dylan and Ruben (Ruby-licious, as she called him).
My sister was a person of faith, and loved our bible study "The Leighton Family Bible Study". We laid her to rest on February 16th after a beautiful memorial service with eulogies given by myself and her two daughters, her father-in-law "Papa Baker" singing How Great Thou Art, and our wonderful Pastor Steve delivering a gracious service.
We would like to thank you all for your patience and understanding - John and I being unavailable for long periods during our back and forth trips to Mass, our February 17th auction being cancelled, and any other inconvenience this may have caused our customers, consignors, etc.
Thank you,
Evelyn, John and the Leighton Galleries Family
2-25-11
In response to The Passing of Ruth Leighton-Baker:
Thank you all so very much for your kind and warm condolences regarding my beloved sister Ruth. I have read hundreds of emails sent by all of you, and subsequently forwarded them to my father Harvey and Ruth's two daughters Kendra and Courtney. This has been a great comfort to all of us.
Although this is a time of great sadness, our hearts are deeply filled with love and appreciation for this outpouring of gracious sentiments. Thank you all for caring so much.
To address an item of inquiry:
The photo of Ruthi and the doll that accompanied the email - she is holding up a German bisque head doll that we sold back in 1998 when we were holding our auctions at Christ Church in Ridgewood. The dolls name was "Carl" and it was expected to bring a few thousand dollars, therefore, none of our runners wanted to handle it. So Ruthi offered to hold the doll up as it crossed the auction block. The doll ended up bringing $40,000. I remember that the consignor began to hyperventilate, so we eased him to the floor and made him put his head between his legs. The doll belonged to his mother who had died of Alzheimer's disease. As it ended up, the proceeds were donated to those charities researching cures for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. And that's the story of the doll!
My sister was a woman of God, and loved our bible study. During her eulogy, I cited several quotes from her "chemo journal", most of which were testaments to her faith.
On behalf of the entire Leighton family, a heartfelt THANK YOU!
Fondly,
Evelyn