Ruth Hallam-Jones
Kevan Wylie
Dear colleagues,
I’m writing to share the very sad news that Ruth Hallam Jones passed away this morning after a long and challenging illness.
Many of us will remember Ruth with deep affection from her time as MSc course coordinator and lead nurse at the Porterbrook Clinic. She joined the team not long after I began working at our former base in Whiteley Wood, and quickly became a cornerstone of our clinical, educational, and research efforts—both locally and nationally.
Ruth was a passionate advocate for the work we did and the values we upheld. Her fierce commitment to postgraduate training was unwavering; she never hesitated to go the extra mile for a struggling trainee, and her door was always open—whether someone needed guidance or simply a quiet moment with a cup of tea. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and supported, and her warmth was matched by a sharp wit that could lift even the most stressful days.
One moment that stands out was during a particularly hectic clinic week, when Ruth calmly reorganized the entire schedule to accommodate a last-minute emergency—without a single complaint, and with her signature dry humor that somehow made the chaos feel manageable. It was typical of her: practical, unflappable, and deeply kind. On another occasion, Ruth, David and I hired a white van and moved our service furniture and administration to our new base at Nether Edge—before sharing a takeaway in what became the clinical training room, long into the evening.
During my last visit to see her in Nottingham, Ruth shared a copy of her memoirs, The Ramblings of Ruth Hallam-Jones. It offered a rich and personal insight into the Ruth I was still discovering—her reflections, her humour, and her enduring spirit.
Ruth was deeply respected and much loved. Her absence will be felt keenly across our community. I know many of you will now be reflecting on your own memories of Ruth and the impact she had on your professional and personal lives.
Warm regards,
Kevan
Kevan Wylie
One of Ruth’s wishes was to donate some of her organs to Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank, a charitable organisation working in conjunction with Imperial College, London to continue research into the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, and we are pleased to share that this was able to take place.
I am writing to make you aware that, following a private cremation and family event, there is be a memorial gathering to reflect upon and celebrate the life of Ruth, hosted by the Sheffield Central Quakers for her wider circle of friends.
This will be held on Saturday 18th October at 2pm at the Sheffield Central Quaker Meeting House, 10 James Street, Sheffield, S12EW.
Parking is somewhat limited at the venue itself but it is well-served by buses and trams as well as various car parks in Sheffield city centre.
This memorial meeting will reflect Ruth’s love of the Quaker community and its quiet, reflective worship style, as well as offering opportunities to share memories and reflections of her life.
Light refreshments will follow afterwards therefore please RSVP to na...@theheywoods.org.uk
Those who knew and loved Ruth as a friend, neighbour or colleague are warmly welcomed to join the meeting as a means of celebrating her life and impact. Ruth’s dress code was always one of colour and comfort so please feel free to dress in a similar manner!
We kindly ask for no flower donations but instead if you would like to support the work of Parkinson’s UK, the following link may be used. https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate
Further information about the venue or what to expect from a meeting can be found here. https://sheffieldquakers.org.uk/