Patricia "Pat" Ruhl, 85, of Danbury, formerly of Ridgefield, died peacefully January 30, from cancer, at the Regional Hospice Center in Danbury. She was the loving wife of Edward Ruhl. She was born on Staten Island, N.Y., to Helen and James Hyland on May 25, 1932.regionalhospicect.org.

Besides her husband Ed, her seven children and their spouses: Patty and John Principi of Sandy Hook; Kathy Ruhl of Bethel; Susan and Steve Wence of Winchester, Va.; Ed and Nancy Ruhl of Westborough, Mass.; Jim Ruhl of Danbury; Nancy and Tim Hurley of Wakefield, Mass.; and Steve and Andrea Ruhl of Beacon Falls, survive her. She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren, Katie Sizemore and husband Matt, Dane Wence and wife Sarah, Luke Wence and wife Christina, Brian Ruhl, Kevin Ruhl, Matt Ruhl, Sara Principi, Jessica Principi, Matt Principi, Grace Hurley, Timmy Hurley, Caroline Hurley, Danny Hurley, and twins Emily and Meghan Ruhl; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maureen Hansen of Staten Island, N.Y., and Barbara Adone of Toms River, N.J.; sisters-in-law, Linda Hyland of Staten Island and Marilyn Codd of Greenwich; 20 nieces and nephews; 45 grandnieces and grandnephews; and many cousins.

Two sisters Cathleen Fisher and Karen Wallace, and a brother, James Hyland, predeceased her.

Mrs Ruhl graduated from New Dorp High School and worked in New York City as a secretary until 1954. She married Ed is 1953 and they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary last October. They lived in Staten Island, N.Y.; Freehold, N.J.; Ridgefield; and Danbury.

While in Ridgefield, Mrs Ruhl was involved in the CCD program as a religious education teacher and also as a Eucharistic Minister at St Mary's Church of Ridgefield. She was a bookkeeper at St Mary's for 22 years. She had a very strong faith which guided her through both the good and bad times.

Along with making baby quilts for her friends and family, Mrs Ruhl's favorite pastimes were sewing, photography, and gardening. She was an avid Hummel collector and could often be found at the Hallmark display picking out cards for family and friends. She and her husband loved traveling the world; however, it was Long Beach Island, N.J., that held a special place in her heart. Her loved ones say there was no doubt that her 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Friends will be received on Friday, February 2, from 4 to 7 pm, at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 3, at 10:30 am, at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in St Mary's Cemetery, 110 North Street, Ridgefield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Regional Hospice and Home Care, 30 Milestone Road. Danbury CT 06810 or at