Ruth Berkel

Ruth "Ruquy" Berkel, 1934-2024, peacefully passed away on January 18, 2024, in Sarasota at the age of 90. She courageously battled a long-term lung disease and ultimately succumbed to aspiration pneumonia following an event from which she could not recover.

Ruth was born on January 7, 1934, in Humacao, PR, to the Rev. Carlos P. Gonzalez and Julia Mercado de Gonzalez. Despite her birth certificate stating January 24, she joyously celebrated two birthdays each year, a tradition born from a memorable story involving her older sister, Delia. Ruth was the seventh of 10 children in a close-knit family.

For 59 years, Ruth resided in Sarasota with her husband, former Sarasota Mayor Elmer Berkel. Together, they lovingly raised two children, Eric Berkel and Diane Fairey, and cherished two grandchildren, Ivan Suner and Isabel Suner.

Ruth earned her BA in social work and religious education from Schauffler College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1954, under a scholarship for Evangelical Ministers' children. She pursued postgraduate studies in Social Work at the University of Puerto Rico in 1958. Additionally, she delved into computer programming, statistics, and psychometrics at the Sarasota County Vocational Technical School and Manatee Junior College. Ruth had a diverse career, including roles as a School Social Worker, Statistician, Art Gallery Manager, Eastern Airline Hostess, and positions in education and public health.

Her final professional chapter spanned 10 years at Sarasota High School in the exceptional student education program, where she retired in 1996.

Ruth was actively involved in various philanthropic and civic organizations and received numerous awards for her volunteer work. She served as a Spanish interpreter, translator, and golf instructor. Her civic engagements included the Sarasota Senior Theater, Save Our Bays Association, League of Women Voters, Taxpayers Association, American Red Cross, and Sarasota All Faith Food Bank.

Beyond her civic pursuits, Ruth found joy in hobbies such as golf, sewing, cross-stitching, runway modeling, playing the castanets, and dancing. An accomplished golfer, she earned over 30 gold medals in the Senior Olympic Games and co-founded the John Smith Ryder Memorial Hospital annual golf tournament in Puerto Rico.

Ruth traveled extensively throughout America and the Caribbean, competing in pageants where she won over 30 crowns and five-lifetime national titles. She believed that meeting exceptional women worldwide enriched her life, and her philosophy centered on finding true happiness through giving, sharing, and helping others unconditionally.

Ruth was always ready to perform at retirement centers, adult assisted communities, nursing homes, schools, and civic organizations, either alone or with the "Fuego Espanol" Dance Company that she initiated.

Ruth is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Elmer Berkel; her son Eric Berkel with partner Jared Walker, her daughter Diane Suner Fairey and husband Robert (Bo) Fairey, her siblings, Abigail Culpepper of Matthews, N.C.; Eunice Gonzalez of San Juan, PR; and Benjamin Gonzalez of Birmingham, AL.  She has two grandchildren, Ivan Suner and Isabel Suner, along with many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Carlos P. Gonzalez and Julia Mercado de Gonzalez, and siblings Delia Palmeri of Jupiter, FL., Elsie Bernier of Ponce, PR, Carlos Josue Gonzalez of San Juan, PR, Dr. Caleb Gonzalez of New Haven, CT, Miriam Zabawa of Vero Beach, FL, and Samuel Gonzalez of Humacao, PR.

A Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 1-3 pm, Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the Senior Friendship Center, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236. A private burial service will be held at the National Cemetery.

Condolences and stories about Ruth Berkel can be shared with the family by contacting Diane Fairey at dianesuner@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to a charity of your choice.

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