RUTH HOUGHTEN SHIELDS March 1, 1923 - September 28, 2014 Ruth Houghten Shields, 91, of Winchester, Virginia, formerly of Martinsburg, West Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia died suddenly of a stroke on September 28, 2014. Ruth was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, daughter of Ferry Charles and Mattie Lincoln Houghten. She married John "Jack" Russell Shields on April 2, 1943, in Washington, DC. He preceded her in death on April 2, 1986. Surviving Ruth are three daughters: Patricia S. Clohan (Paul) of Martinsburg; Janet S. Dean (Alex) of McLean, Virginia; and Donna K. Shields of Martinsburg. Also surviving are three granddaughters: Sarah E. Casper (David) of Vienna, Virginia; Rebecca. D. Suchak (Brian) of Morristown, New Jersey; and Carla S. Pool (Paul Sarahan) of Richmond, Virginia. Ruth also had two great grandchildren: Julia and James Casper. Ruth's granddaughter Rebecca is expecting a baby boy in December. Ruth was a 1945 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Psychology. During World War II and the Korean Conflict, Ruth lived with her mother in Alexandria, Virginia. Following a brief return to Pittsburgh, Ruth and Jack raised their three daughters in Alexandria where the girls attended Groveton High School. Ruth was a stay-at-home mother until 1960 when she began a distinguished career as a research analyst at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. She was a member of the Engineering Psychology Branch before joining the Electronic Warfare Division. Her work in electronic warfare lead to her acceptance into the Association of Old Crows. She was proud of this and frequently referred to herself as an "Old Crow". After her husband's death, she continued her life-long interest in learning by attending the Institutes for Learning in Retirement at American University and George Mason University. Ruth was a member of the First Congregational Church in Washington, DC until 1960 when she became a founding member of Hope United Church of Christ in Alexandria. After retirement, she moved to Fairfax, Virginia and joined her daughter Janet's church, Emmaus United Church of Christ. At Emmaus she became an active member of the congregation and served as a Deacon and a member of the Flower Committee, Links of Love and the Prayer Chain. She also enjoyed being a member the fellowship group "T.O.B.'s". In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Emmaus United Church of Christ at 900 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA, 22180 or the Nature Conservancy at 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203. A Memorial Service will be held at Emmaus United Church of Christ on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com

Published in The Washington Post on Oct. 11, 2014