Ruth C. Brooks, 90, Hammond

HAMMOND -- Ruth C. Brooks of Hammond passed away on January 17, 2024, at the age of 90.

She was born on September 10, 1933, at home on Kinney Gulf Road in Cortland, the seventh of ten children to Grace (Greenfield) and Samuel Chapman. They moved to Hammond in 1945 where the family developed and operated rental camps on what would become Chapman’s Point on Black Lake and Chapman’s Sporting Goods Store in their home in the village.

She met Philip Brooks while selling him the first of many boxes of .22 shells at their store. She graduated from Hammond Central in June of 1952.

Phil and Ruth were married on November 23, 1952, at the First Presbyterian Church in Hammond, and started their life together working in Syracuse.

They soon returned to Hammond, where he began his carpentry business, with Ruth drawing out plans described by customers for new construction, renovations, and even furniture.

Later she was the treasurer of the First Presbyterian Church in Hammond for many years, sold real estate and insurance, and was an assessor.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Stars, Hammond Chapter for many years as well. She enjoyed singing in the First Presbyterian Church choir, with the Hammond Kitchen Band and the Black River Valley Fiddlers.

Her husband, Phil predeceased her on 12/10/10 after 58 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her parents and seven siblings, William Chapman, Mildred Kinney, Helen Eshleman, Ella Constandy, Andrew Chapman, Harold Chapman, and Thomas Chapman.

Ruth is survived by her only child, Barbara and William Bennett, Hammond; her granddaughters, Jennifer and Demetrius Nelson, Crewe, Virginia, Jessica Bennett, South Ryegate, Vermont, Cora Putney, Hammond, Ella Putney, Dover, Delaware, and great-grandson, Nathaniel Simmons, Hammond. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Schutt, Rochester, and Virginia Pielke, Towson, Maryland, many nieces, nephews, and their families, along with her first cousin, Lanea Personius of Homer.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer.

Condolences and fond memories can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.