Help 90-Year-Old Ruth Restore Her Damaged Home

Ruth is no longer homeless. Thank You to all who helped get Ruth back into her home.

A big Thank You goes out to Chris Roenicke, the general contractor, and Jim, his helper. Chris steadfastly worked to get Ruth back into her home by Thanksgiving. I highly recommend Chris for his diverse knowledge, skills and ease of communication. All-in-all a good guy and a blessing for our family. Thanks, also, to the local Carpenter's Union who installed the wheelchair ramp just before snow was due to roll in.

Through many funding sources — GoFundMe, family, friends, churches, community — work began at the start of October on the gutting and redo of Ruth’s home to make it safe after moisture intrusion. It included teardown to 2x4s, mold treatment, drywalling, doors, trim work, paint, bathroom redo, kitchen cabinets/sink, flooring. There were other unforeseen projects like a total new plumbing job (done) and new roofing and front window (in the works when weather permits).

A big Thank You for a Special Angel

When no one could take Ruth and her daughter in while we tried to work through all the problems, only one person answered the call.

She alone volunteered to help physically pack up the items for storage in the damaged unit and arranged to have things thrown out. Ruth would never be back in her home if not for the generosity and kindness of this woman.

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More of the story:

The final bid for the restoration job came within a couple hundred dollars of what was collected. Some have stepped up to help them begin to refurnish the home. For those still asking, How can I help? A wise minister once shared this sage advice when his spouse was ill. Though help is appreciated, sometimes trying to figure out what to tell someone about your needs can become a burden. Visit their home. Ask yourself what a 90-year-old woman might need or enjoy. A true blessing is when people are able to open their eyes and see for themselves where needs remain.

Many have asked why we didn’t sue State Farm when her home was damaged and they refused to cover damages under her policy. We pursued all avenues, but as no lawyer offered pro bono services it was not a viable option. One of the best attorneys in Michigan pointed out the case could drag on for two years. And despite her odds of being good of winning (all attorneys agreed), the costs would have eaten up most of the money needed to get her back into her home NOW, not two years from now.

Shortly before moving back in, I mentioned to my mother how good it would feel to once again sleep in her own bed after nearly a year of being moved about — two rehab centers (Georgia/Saginaw), then her friend’s home, a few weeks in a hotel —and she could merely sigh in relief at the pleasure of the thought. That is what every 90-year-old woman deserves. Serenity.

As her family, we are humbled by the goodwill my mother inspires.

May God Bless each and every donor in the effort to Bring Ruth Home!

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How this long journey began as first posted here in 2024:

Ruth Pittman is facing homelessness through no fault of her own. A faithful Christian, she has spent a lifetime helping and praying for others. Now, she needs your help to move back into the only home she has known for over 40 years on a rural farm-laden road in Hemlock, Michigan, after her insurance company denied her claim for damages. Unfortunately, she cannot live in her home until it is restored.

Ruth releasing live ladybugs hoping they will bring her luck!

Ruth’s duplex unit became shrouded in dampness. Mold suddenly appeared on walls, furniture — even on a purse. She kept trying to clean it off, but no one could detect the source of the moisture intrusion. Eventually, a neighbor from down the road informed her a hot water heater had exploded undetected in the unoccupied adjacent duplex unit. Water had poured in causing extensive damage. Insurance paid for the adjacent unit to be totally renovated after being gutted and treated for mold. Ruth was never informed about the issue, despite the units having a shared dividing wall space, attic, and crawlspace.

It is URGENT that she receive help immediately. Beyond our initial goal, there will be the additional costs for replacing household goods impregnated with mold — like mattresses, sofa and draperies. She has long needed a wheelchair ramp. None of the nonprofit and government programs that exist for someone of Ruth’s age and financial means are available because she doesn't own the whole residence. Ruth is a 50% co-owner of the 2-unit residence. It isn’t a condo; there is one deed for the whole building, one tax bill. She bought it with a friend going through a divorce at the same time in 1981. Separate “whole duplex building” insurance policies were issued by State Farm Insurance to both women rather than a cheaper shared policy.

By the time the neighbor told Ruth about the incident, the adjacent unit had been cleaned up, treated for mold and stripped down to 2x4s. When Ruth asked the insurance company for a copy of the damage report, her request was denied. Her attorney's request was denied. She filed a claim with State Farm against her policy without the report, which would have helped substantiate her claim. A professional mold assessment done many weeks after the the explosion showed her home still had humidity of over 70% and mold spores. No inspection of her unit was ever made by State Farm Insurance for damages.

Water marks found behind the sofa on the shared wall space.

Floor marks showing the moisture trail under carpet padding.

Between the summer of 2023 and now, Ruth has endured significant physical and emotional challenges. While seeking answers, she received a subpoena for the 2023 trial of Justin Humpert who had murdered his mother on the duplex’s property in 2021 and injured his grandmother (Ruth's co-owner). The court order brought back the trauma of having a gun pointed at her front window during law enforcement's search for the missing woman. It had taken time for the sanctity of her home, reduced to the scene of a crime, to reclaim its serenity. Then came the water filtering in, the mold, the subpoena, and the return of chaos.

After the trial, Ruth found some joy at her granddaughter’s wedding in Atlanta. However, she fell, ended up in rehab, and her youngest daughter, who has lovingly cared for Ruth for years, also ended up in the ER. Shortly after returning to Michigan, Ruth again fell, breaking her back when walking down a porch step to her wheelchair. But her capacity for resilience is amazing.

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From Pastor Weldon, Shield of Faith Ministries

Ruthie is a woman of prayer. I and her Shield of Faith church congregation love her with all our hearts. She has been faithfully connected to her home church since 1990. God's messages she shares by passing out floral, hand-colored cards with biblical verses throughout the area (despite macular degeneration threatening her eyesight). Her favorite verse, Romans 8:28.

And we know all things work for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

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Ruthie Story #1

She was bullied. Not Ruth, as she was a favorite of the Catholic School nuns and had older brothers. But a girl in her 2nd grade classroom was always being picked on. The children had to draw names to exchange Christmas gifts. Everyone said if they drew that girl's name they wouldn't buy her a present. Ruth was worried that the girl would not get a gift. She went home and asked her mother if she could take her Betsy Wetsy doll -- the most popular doll at that time -- and wrap it up to give to this girl. The day of the gift exchange this girl had only one gift with her name on it. When she opened her gift, it was by far the best present any of the girls received. She became the star of the gift exchange with everyone oohing and ahhing over the present they hoped Santa would bring them. That typifies how Ruth has always lived her life. Quietly helping when she sees a need and never expecting anything in return.

Shared By Rebecca Ferrante

Ruthie Story #2

He was autistic. We didn't use that term back when I was in junior high. The good kids thought of him as slow; the bad kids called him a retard. Most of us kept our distance. Occasionally, I'd offer him a smile that he would never return. He smelled funny. He wore tattered clothes and came from a poor family. One cold, late fall day my mother noticed him walking to school alone down Gratiot Highway as she was driving me to school. By then, I had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. All I wanted to do was fit in. Be normal. I said, "Please, no mom. Everyone will just stare at me more if he gets out of our car." She shut me up real quick. "You help others in need." Full stop. She pulled over and picked him up, embarrassed by my response. Funny thing happened, that young boy talked to me and thanked me. I didn't avoid him in the hallways. I'd smile and he'd smile. I was so proud of the lesson my mother taught me that day. You help those in need despite wanting to avoid it. You don't turn away. Every day of my life, I've known my mother is special. She cares about "all" mankind, not only the chosen few who look like her, dress like her, or speak like her. I try to do the same.

Shared by Cynthia Pittman Arnsdorff