9 minute read
Three Generations of Moms in Marple
Stronger Together
Resident Feature Written by Holly Stupak
Photos by Crissy Everhart Photography www.CrissyEverhart.com
In honor of Mother’s Day this month, we’re introducing readers to three generations of strong women: Julia Baris, her mother, Susan Herring, and her grandmother, Ruthe (aka Bubbe) Kabler. After several years of living on the same street in Broomall, they've learned that they’re Stronger Together.
Julia Baris grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Friends’ Central High School in Wynnewood. She furthered her education at Muhlenberg College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English. During her time at Muhlenberg, Julia discovered she had a knack for playwriting and earned several accolades for her work there. Although she had a talent for writing, ultimately, she knew she’d wanted to become a lawyer and studied law at Rutgers Law School, graduating in 2008 with a Juris Doctor degree.
After law school, Julia practiced law for the Community Health Law Project, which provides law services for low-income and disabled populations. While she enjoyed her time as a lawyer, she felt she needed more flexibility once her children were born. She currently owns two daycares/preschools in the area, a career that allows her more flexibility with her family, but she hasn’t ruled out practicing law again as her children get older.
Julia Baris, Susan Herring and Ruthe Kabler
Julia met her husband Paul in 2011 at a Quizzo Night. Paul had once lived in Philadelphia but was now living in Chicago. One night during a flight layover in Philadelphia, he asked some friends to meet up for a drink and as it turned out, Julia was the only one who was able to go out that night.
When Julia introduced Paul to her family, her mom thought he was 99% perfect. The 1%? He lived in Chicago. Direct flights from Philly to Chicago made it possible for them to visit each other every weekend. They eventually got engaged in Disney World, and because the couple both love all things Disney, they held their nuptials at the Moroccan pavilion at Epcot, followed by a reception in the French pavilion there.
After the wedding, Julia moved to Chicago with Paul to start their married life. They wanted to start a family, but it didn't come as easy as they had hoped. “At first I wanted to leave it in God's hands, and I wasn’t ready to try in vitro fertilization (IVF),” explained Julia. “But my grandmother desperately wanted to see me as a mom. In 2016 she got very sick and needed surgery. She was close to giving up and didn’t want to have the surgery. I told her if she had the surgery, I would do IVF. She was in surgery the next day!”
Paul and Julia’s IVF resulted in two beautiful daughters. They also have seven remaining embryos that were adopted by another couple who have become like family. Paul also has two sons from a previous marriage, Matthew, who lives in Dallas and Michael, who lives in San Diego. Michael has three step-children, making Paul and Julia grandparents too!
Eliana and Alia Baris
In 2017 Julia and her husband Paul were living in Chicago when a house for sale popped up on the same street where her mother and step-father lived in Broomall. Paul’s job had brought them to Chicago in 2015, but when Julia found out she was pregnant with their first child, they decided they wanted to raise the baby closer to family. “My mother jokingly asked, ‘Are you sure you want to live so close to us’?” recalled Julia. Julia said she had no hesitation to live close to her mom, especially on such a beautiful street in a great neighborhood.
Julia and Paul’s oldest daughter is four-year-old Eliana. She attends Pre-K at Temple Sholom in Broomall and loves gymnastics, swimming, baking and Disney. Julia said she is definitely a goofball, but she’s very kind and sensitive, especially to her peers at school. Eliana’s little sister Alia is a two-year-old diva. A lover of princesses and mermaids, she enjoys dressing up in fancy dresses and princess costumes.
For the past five years, the Baris family has lived on Ceton Court, just a few houses down from her mom, Susan, and her step-father Ross. Susan and Ross married in 2006. It was a second marriage for both, they each had two children and Susan’s home wasn’t quite big enough for their blended family. They began house hunting, and although they looked at dozens of homes in several communities, they kept coming back to Broomall.
Susan Herring grew up in Overbrook Park, where she then raised Julia and her brother Chip. After earning a Nursing Degree in 1975 from Thomas Jefferson University, she worked as a nurse at Lankenau Medical Center until she retired in 2019. In 2003, the same year that Julia graduated from college, she graduated with a Master’s in Education from Widener University.
Julia Baris with her daughters Eliana and Alia
Susan recently completed the requirements to volunteer with Citizens Corps of Delaware County and looks forward to aiding in their missions. “Once a nurse, always a nurse!” added Susan. Her husband Ross retired from his job as a pilot for American Airlines in 2020, so soon after, they purchased a home in Florida intending to be snowbirds. But when the pandemic hit, plans changed a bit. Susan invited her son Chip, his wife Jayna and their son Kieran to stay with them so she could help with childcare.
Every month Susan heads to Florida for a week, but she's not quite ready to spend all winter down there. Most of her time here in Marple is spent caring for her grandchildren and her mother, Ruthe.
Ruthe Kabler, known to her family as Bubbe, is the matriarch of the family. Turning 98 later this month, she’s been blessed with three children, 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Ruthe graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1942. After graduating from high school, Ruthe went on to the Levitan Business School to prepare herself for secretarial work. Up until a few years ago, when she began suffering from arthritis, she’d been knitting and sewing and over the years, she made snowsuits for her two sons, a myriad of blankets, sweaters and bathing suits.
Julia, Eliana and Alia Baris, Susan Herring and Ruthe Kabler
Married to her high school sweetheart, Ruthe and her husband Eddie lived in Overbrook Park for 48 years and raised their children there. As an active member of the Congregation Beth T’fillah, she served as president of the Sisterhood and also ran their gift shop for 20 years. The Kabler family was a big Scouting family. Eddie was a pack leader and Ruthe enjoyed being a Den mother for her sons Ron and Gary, and a Girl Scout Troop leader for Susan’s troop.
Ruthe was living in her own home in Wynnewood after Eddie passed away. When she suffered a bad fall in 2020 and needed full-time care, the family was uncomfortable sending her to a nursing home because of the pandemic. Since Susan already had Chip and his family living in her home, Julia and Paul decided the best thing to do was to move Bubbe into their guest room and she’s been there ever since.
The neighbors on Ceton Court have given Ruthe a warm welcome into the neighborhood.
Since she’s a little less mobile now, Ruthe spends her free time reading the newspaper and watching the Game Show Network. She also looks forward to when the whole family comes to visit. “There is nothing better than a phone call or visit from one of my grandkids or great-grandkids!” She’s also famous for her manicures, even posting photos on Facebook.
Julia, Susan and Ruthe share many of the same interests, including traveling and going to the theater. And all three women are active with the Delaware County Chabad, which Julia said is an amazing Jewish community like nothing she’s experienced before. “The rabbi even comes to our house since it’s often difficult for my grandmother to travel to events.”
Thank you Julia, Susan and Ruthe for sharing your story of three hardworking, caring and strong moms. Your Marple Friends & Neighbors wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.
