
VISITATION HOUSE
One of Ruth’s visions was to establish a home for pregnant women in Worcester. She died before seeing her vision come to life.
After her death, a group of Ruth’s friends—social service providers and pro-life advocates—came together to found Visitation House. Since opening its doors in 2005, Visitation House has welcomed over 300 women and their children.


HER CHILDREN
Ruth Pakaluk welcomed seven children into the world. Her fifth, Thomas Matthew, died from SIDS at seven weeks old.
After her death, a group of Ruth’s friends—social service providers and pro-life advocates—came together to found Visitation House. Since opening its doors in 2005, Visitation House has welcomed over 300 women and their children.

Michael
Mike attended the Hartt School of Music, earned a Master’s in trumpet performance from the University of New Mexico, and now leads a prestigious high school music program. He and his wife, Kis, live with their son in California.

Maximilian
Max attended Harvard College, worked for a couple years as an editor at National Review Online, earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, and currently works in the D.C. area. He and his wife, Laura, live with their four children in Maryland.

John Henry
John attended Thomas Aquinas College and, like his parents, married his college sweetheart Kasia the summer before his senior year. John earned a Master’s in accounting from Bentley University and now works for a data intelligence company. He and Kasia live with their five children in Massachusetts.

Maria
Maria attended Thomas Aquinas College, earning a Bachelor’s in the liberal arts. After college, she married her fellow classmate Sam Almeida. They have four children and are currently based in Texas.

Sarah Esther
Sarah attended Ave Maria University, studying Literature and Classical Languages. Now, she works part-time from home editing and writing. She and her husband, Noah Blanchard, live in Colorado with their two girls.

Anna Sophia
Sophie attended Ave Maria University, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Greek. She and her husband Philip Barrows live with their three children in Maryland, where they grow fruits and vegetables to sell at farmer’s markets.
“For the sake of the girls,” Ruth said, “I think you should remarry.”
Three months before she died, Ruth told Michael that she thought he should get married again. On August 15, 1999, Michael married again. He and his wife, Catherine, have eight children.


Ruth’s Incredible Story
Ruth’s inspiring story is told primarily through her humorous, sparkling and insightful letters in which her realistic cheerfulness shines. A biographical overview by her husband fills in important details about her life, and a collection of her talks on abortion, faith and being a Catholic wife and mother conclude the volume.
Tributes to Ruth Pakaluk
IGNATIUS INSIGHT, 2011
I Invite You to Meet a Warrior for Life, Peter Kreeft
CRISIS MAGAZINE, 1999
Life Watch: Ruth and Michael—A Love Story, Hadley Arkes
BOSTON PILOT, 2011
Radiating joy amidst the screaming kids, Dwight G. Duncan
CATHOLIC CULTURE, 2001
A Life of Dramatic Unity, Philip F. Lawler
OPUS DEI TODAY, 2010
Ruth Pakaluk, a zealous apostle in Massachusetts
FIRST THINGS, 2011
Remembering Ruth Pakaluk, C. John McCloskey, III
THE IMAGINATIVE CONSERVATIVE, 2020