Ruth Smithoover, 94, Penn Yan

PENN YAN -- Ruth (Jensen) Smithoover of Penn Yan, NY born Sept. 30, 1927, passed away peacefully September 18, 2022.

Ruth was a Graduate of Gorham, NY High School 1944.

She was the daughter of Peter and Clara Jensen of Dresden, NY.

Ruth was pre deceased by her parents, Peter and Clara Jensen, her two sons, James and William Smithoover, her husband, James E Smithoover, her sister and brother, Irene (Robert) Strosnider and George (Jane) Jensen and their children, Janet and James Jensen.

She was also predeceased by one grandchild, Makius Maine and her beloved companion of later years, Ron McMasters of Rochester and Penn Yan, NY.

Our beloved Ruthie is survived by family members daughter, Sandy ( Louis) Maine of Potsdam, NY; nephews, Bill (Pat Nielsen Prattsburgh, John (Sherry) Jensen Penn Yan, NY, Ken ( Mary) Nielsen White Cloud, Michigan; niece, Linda Nielsen ( James Steves ) of Syracuse, NY; grand children, Elijah Maine of Austin, Texas , Clara Maine of The Netherlands, Clark (Yen) Maine of Taiwan and Potsdam, NY, and Nicole Smithoover Cazenovia, NY; great grandsons, William Loock Cazenovia, NY and Jamie Jensen Maine Potsdam, NY. Ruth also had many life long friends and co-workers who brought much joy to her well lived life.

During WWII Ruth jumped in and worked as a seamstress making uniforms for the men and women in Military Service.

Ruth was a military wife and traveled the globe with her Airforce husband Jim, moving 9 times in 9 years!

Eventually moving back the Fingerlakes in 1964, Ruth worked as a seamstress at GIGI Bra in Canandaigua and also worked for 18 years as a civil service employee for Ontario County Public Health as an office administrator. Ruth was a card carrying member of the ILGWU and CSEA.

Ruth was a steadfast and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.

She volunteer in her community for two decades after her retirement. She Volunteered in the PT dept at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital, Meals on Wheels, and at Clinton Crest Senior Manor all in her hometown of Penn Yan, NY.

At 94 Ruth was a devoted grandmother and mother and a friend to all. She was very proud of the fact that at 94 she had all of her natural teeth and could still beat all family members in rummy!

A celebration of her long & fruitful life which was filled with much love, laughter and dancing will be held at Union Congregational Church on Rt 14A in Hall, NY on Saturday October 29th at 2 pm.

Friends and family, If you plan to join us for a meal after the celebration, please text or call Sandy at 315-212-7143 so we can have a head count.