Ruthann Bosley is a mom, grandma, educator, author, volunteer and pastor. But many people around Aultman Hospital simply know her as “The Candy Lady.”

Since 2003 when she became an Aultman volunteer, Ruthann has been reaching out to patients and families battling cancer. She visits the inpatient cancer unit and cancer waiting areas, usually about once a week, and offers everything from tasty treats to words of kindness. “Some people who see me approaching think I’m representing Aultman or a local church, but I’m not,” she said. “I’m just trying to reach out and let people know they’re not alone.”

Ruthann started her candy ministry after the unexpected loss of her husband Gary in 2003. “He thought he had the flu. He went to the doctor, got a stomach scope and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer,” she shared. “He died just two weeks later.”

Reeling from Gary’s sudden passing, Ruthann visited bookstores to find resources for widows. “Every book was written by 80-year-olds, when widowhood is more expected,” she recalled. “I couldn’t really relate because was barely out of my 40s.”

Ruthann decided to write her own book to help younger widows and other grieving people. “After Gary’s death, everyone else’s life went back to normal but mine. I felt so alone,” she said. “I wrote ‘Victory in the Valleys’ to let hurting people know you can still experience victory as you journey through life’s toughest challenges like cancer and death. I wanted to help people see God’s faithfulness in all situations and find peace.”

In addition to her book, Ruthann felt drawn to do something for patients in the Aultman Cancer Center. “Chaplain Kathleen Schen was my mom’s neighbor, so Kathleen talked to me about how I could help at Aultman,” Ruthann explained. “I went through the training and became a volunteer. I wanted to use Gary’s homegoing in a positive way.”

Ruthann, who went to seminary after retiring from a 30-year career as an elementary school teacher, uses her candy basket to open the door for discussion. “Some people take a piece of candy and don’t want to talk – and that’s fine – while others want to talk about their cancer experience or their faith,” she said. “Sometimes patients feel more comfortable sharing their feelings with me than they do with their relatives. It’s easier to unload on me because I’m a complete stranger.”

Over the years, Ruthann has developed many personal relationships with patients and families. “Some will call me in times of need, even when their loved one is hospitalized in an area other than the cancer unit,” she offered. “I got to know an Amish woman who lost her husband. We shared the same wedding anniversary, so we would go to dinner around that time every year. It was nice to get together and mark that occasion, sharing happy memories about our husbands and encouraging each other.”

Ruthann says she wonders what Gary would think of her Candy Lady outreach. “I think Gary would say, ‘Go, girl, go.’”