We were deeply saddened to learn that our colleague and friend, and former Committee member, Ruth Noah, has passed away. We extend our condolences to Ruth’s family, and our thoughts are with them.
A much-loved and well-known member of the health food retailing community, Ruth took the helm at Noah’s Health Food Store in Wallington in 2003 on the retirement of her father, Jack Noah, who had run the business for 32 years.
Full of enthusiasm for the health food trade, Ruth built on Jack’s legacy, modernising and updating the store and broadening the product offering – but retaining the ethos of the business. She described Noah’s as “a healing hub” and “truly magical place”.
In 2021, Ruth interviewed A Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman in her store to mark the then National Association of Health Stores’ 90th anniversary. In the interview, Jasmine tells Ruth about the reasons she became a vegan after the birth of her first baby, and how she became a regular customer at Noah’s. The photograph above shows Ruth (centre) and Jasmine outside Noah’s just before the interview.
Ruth’s team at Noah’s Health Store have all praised the support and friendship she showed to them. Helene wrote: “It’s been a real privilege to have worked with Ruth for the past 9 or so years. She was such an important person for so many people coming into the shop over the past 22 plus years, since she took it over from her Jack. We constantly hear stories from customers who have praised the interest and helpful concern which they have received from Ruth. She worked so hard to make it a really vibrant place for many local people, where ideas and stories and troubles were shared, as well as laughs and fun.
“I feel very proud to be continuing Ruth’s legacy, along with Rita, in the “new version” of Noahs Health Food Store and I hope I can honour her in that way somehow. What a shining light, Ruth!.”
One Response
On visiting the ship a few years ago, I asked if she was Mr Noah’s granddaughter. She laughed her infectious laugh, not at all embarrassed but went on to explain that she was born late to the Noah family.
I’m saddened at her passing but she was a beautiful soul, inside and out.
Condolences to her family and friends.❤️🙏🏽💐