Biography

Ruth Louisa Bigger Gerner of Rehoboth Beach, DE formerly of Wynnewood, PA died Tuesday December 22, 2009 at Delaware Hospice Center Milford, DE. She was 89.
Mrs. Gerner was born June 14, 1920 in Philadelphia, Pa to the late Frank and Lottee Bigger. She was a graduate of Drexel Institute of Technology and the University of Delaware, where she met her future husband P. Calvin Gerner, MD.
She accompanied her husband throughout his US Army career (1944- 1948) from Texas to Louisiana to Princeton, NJ to Monterrey, CA and lastly to Inchon, Korea. Mrs. Gerner served on the Medical Auxiliary Board of Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, on the Mothers’ Association of Episcopal Academy in Merion, PA where she was responsible for finding and hiring the artist who designed the needlepoint kneelers for the chapel and prepared the designs for presentation. She also served on the Board of Deacons and additional committees of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
Mrs. Gerner was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, All Saints Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach, the Rehoboth Beach Country Club and a former member of the Rehoboth Art League and American Association of University Women. She will be remembered for her generous nature and her inquiring mind.
Her husband P. Calvin Gerner, MD preceded her in death.
She is survived by one son, Paul Calvin (Jay) Gerner, Jr. of Rehoboth Beach, DE and nieces, nephews and former Chinese students as follows; Jane Bigger Cottrell of FL, Barbara Gerner Churchhill of Exton, PA, Marian J. Gerner of FL, Christine Gerner Linde of Glen Mills, PA, Michael C. Bigger of Denver, CO, John R. Bigger of Athens, OH, Elric C. Gerner of Swarthmore, PA, Helen Woo Loos of Ft. Washington, MD, Li-Ling Woo of Honolulu, HI and Yun Yong of Havertown, PA.
Memorial services will be held 11am Monday December 28, 2009 at the All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
In lieu o flowers the family suggests contributions be made to All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE. Or the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia 201 S. 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103