COOPERSTOWN - Ruth Mackel Church, of Warwick, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, November 3, 2012, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown at the age of 83.
Beloved wife of the late Henry A.L. Church, Sr., she married her officer and gentleman aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in San Diego, California, in 1949. Hal and Ruth spent the early years of their marriage stationed in San Diego, Bremerton, Washington, and Newport, Rhode Island. Later on, they raised their five children in Hillsdale, New Jersey, Glenview, Illinois, and Glen Rock, New Jersey.
Ruth was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, graduated Teaneck High School in 1947, and worked in New York City prior to her marriage.
She is survived by her children, Priscilla Church Lynn and husband, David, of Auckland, New Zealand; Nancy Church Kidd, husband Frank, and grandson Stephen, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey; Henry A.L. Church, Jr., wife Amy, and step-grandchildren Rebecca and Adam, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey; Cynthia Church Theodore, husband Nicholas, and granddaughter Lindsay, of Sugar Loaf and Cooperstown; and Susan Church Stevens and husband, Alan, of North Potomac, Maryland.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 25 years, Hal; sisters Marion Mackel and Jean Mackel Schoonmaker; and grandson Nicholas Henry Theodore.
Ruth was a member of the Warwick Reformed Church, Friends of the Warwick Library, and the Warwick Social Club. She enjoyed reading, gardening, spending time with her children, grandchildren, dear friends, and pets. She will be dearly missed by all.
The Church family will have a gathering of family and friends in Warwick at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth's memory may be made to Warwick Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 61, Warwick, NY 10990, or The Warwick Center, P.O. Box 349, Warwick, NY 10990.
Local arrangements are under the guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.
