Obituary of Ruth Tait Taubl

RUTH  TAIT TAUBL, 81, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family and her beloved and devoted grand-dog, Marley, on February 21, 2026, in Darien. Days before her passing, Ruth celebrated her 81st birthday with her family and her most prized possessions: her ten grandsons.

Ruth was born in Bridgeport on February 13, 1945, to John Hill Tait and Harriet Burfeind Tait. She was a lifelong resident of Darien, attending Baker's School, Hindley Annex, and Darien High School. Her family owned Tait's Florist, originally located on Noroton Avenue. After the addition of Interstate 95, the florist relocated around the corner to Hecker Avenue.

Ruth worked for Omega Engineering at Riverbend Center in Springdale for 33 years before retiring in 2012. She was a former member of the Darien Republican Town Committee, a veteran member of the Noroton Heights Fire Department Woman's Auxiliary, and a lifetime member of the Darien VFW Post 6933 Women's Auxiliary. Ruth volunteered countless hours supporting fire department events, including open houses, Christmas tree sales, and pancake breakfasts. Through the VFW, she helped organize bingos and led clothing and toiletry drives for veterans. Ruth was especially passionate about assembling care packages with necessities and special treats for soldiers during the Gulf War and Desert Storm.

Ruth's greatest joy was spending time with her family and watching her family grow with each new great-grandchild. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing Rummikub. Ruth was a friend to many, but will be missed dearly by Linda, Lucy, Donna, and Kathy.

Her heart was forever changed when she was predeceased by her beloved eldest son, William Scott Taubl, in 2018. She is survived by her son, Michael Taubl, and his wife, Beth O'Malley Taubl, of Stamford; her daughter, Danielle, and son-in-law, Marc McEwan, with whom she shared a two-family home in Darien for the past 32 years. Ruth lovingly helped care for her grandsons as they were born and raised, and that devotion was returned in later years as Danielle and Marc were just a hallway away when her Parkinson's disease required increasing care. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Catherine Taubl, of Columbia, SC; her sisters, Lynn Tait Gosling (William) of Tennessee and Jeanne Tait Wagner (Donald) of Maine.

The apples of Ruth's eye were her ten grandsons: Adam, Tony, Bryan, Kevin, James, Zachary, Jack, Charlie, Benjamin, and William; her step-grandchildren, Jacqueline O'Malley and James P. O'Malley III; her seven great-grandsons: Jeremia, Aiden, Taylor, Phoenix, Jonathan, Landon, and Noah; her three great-granddaughters: Natalie, Nora, and Briar; and, to Ruth's great joy, an eighth great-grandson expected to arrive in July.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Heather Sung, Dr. Sarah Buckingham, Dr. Susan Collins, Dr. Melissa LaRusso, physical therapist Laurie Walshin, and social worker Julia Portale for their care and compassion during Ruth's illness. Additionally, the family thanks Hospice Nurse Kervens, Reverend Carolyn Legg, and all Waveny Hospice Care staff who assisted in Ruth's care.

Interment will be private.

Memorial donations may be made in Ruth's name to the Noroton Heights Fire Department, Post 53; The Tiny Miracles Foundation; Tunnel to Towers Foundation; or the Wounded Warrior Project.