Pittstown- Ruth A. (VanKampen) Ashley, 92, an “elegant lady” and long-time resident of Pittstown, died peacefully, Sunday, December 3, 2017 at her residence with her devoted husband and family by her side following a long illness.
Born in Albany, June 3, 1925, Ruth was the daughter of the late Henry and Johanna (Hoekstra) VanKampen and for over 70 years the beloved wife of Francis “Frank” A. Ashley of Pittstown who survives.
Ruth was a graduate of Watervliet High School, “Class of 1943.
As a young women she worked for the Marvin-Neitzel Uniform Company before joining the staff at the R.P.I. Lally School of Management where she worked for over 20 years. She retired in December 1989.
Mrs. Ashley was a member of Christ Church in Watervliet before joining the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at both churches for many years. She was a member and secretary of the United Methodist Women’s Group, the Recording Secretary of the Administrative Council, Treasurer of the Memorial Fund and a member of the Friendly Circle Group all while attending Center Brunswick UMC. Additionally, Ruth was a member of the Troy Musical Arts Vocal Group for over 20 years and for several years a member of the Green Island Girls bowling league. In her quiet time of which there was very little, Ruth enjoyed singing, square dancing with the Tamarac Twirlers, bowling, gardening, traveling and camping with her family. Above all else Ruth will be remembered by her family as a wonderful mother and grandmother whose devotion and care for her church, husband and family will never be surpassed.
In addition to her husband, Frank, Ruth is survived by her children, Kathy A. and Randy Rumpf of Grafton, Debra A. and Wesley Lewis of Hoosick and Andrew A. and Holly Ashley of Clifton Park, 8 grandchildren, Jason (Melli) Rumpf, Jeffrey (Sarah) Rumpf, Jessica and John Trimble, Jocelyn (Jeff) Rumpf, Wyatt (Shannon) Lewis, Evan (Ashley) Lewis, Forest Ashley and Levi Ashley, 3 great-grandchildren, Ayden, Riley, and Eve and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown with Rev. Joy Lowenthal, Pastor of Center Brunswick United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 P.M. at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 4-7:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd. Rensselaer, NY 12144 or to Center Brunswick United Methodist Church, 990 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Ruth A. Ashley.
Born in Albany, June 3, 1925, Ruth was the daughter of the late Henry and Johanna (Hoekstra) VanKampen and for over 70 years the beloved wife of Francis “Frank” A. Ashley of Pittstown who survives.
Ruth was a graduate of Watervliet High School, “Class of 1943.
As a young women she worked for the Marvin-Neitzel Uniform Company before joining the staff at the R.P.I. Lally School of Management where she worked for over 20 years. She retired in December 1989.
Mrs. Ashley was a member of Christ Church in Watervliet before joining the Center Brunswick United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at both churches for many years. She was a member and secretary of the United Methodist Women’s Group, the Recording Secretary of the Administrative Council, Treasurer of the Memorial Fund and a member of the Friendly Circle Group all while attending Center Brunswick UMC. Additionally, Ruth was a member of the Troy Musical Arts Vocal Group for over 20 years and for several years a member of the Green Island Girls bowling league. In her quiet time of which there was very little, Ruth enjoyed singing, square dancing with the Tamarac Twirlers, bowling, gardening, traveling and camping with her family. Above all else Ruth will be remembered by her family as a wonderful mother and grandmother whose devotion and care for her church, husband and family will never be surpassed.
In addition to her husband, Frank, Ruth is survived by her children, Kathy A. and Randy Rumpf of Grafton, Debra A. and Wesley Lewis of Hoosick and Andrew A. and Holly Ashley of Clifton Park, 8 grandchildren, Jason (Melli) Rumpf, Jeffrey (Sarah) Rumpf, Jessica and John Trimble, Jocelyn (Jeff) Rumpf, Wyatt (Shannon) Lewis, Evan (Ashley) Lewis, Forest Ashley and Levi Ashley, 3 great-grandchildren, Ayden, Riley, and Eve and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service for Ruth will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown with Rev. Joy Lowenthal, Pastor of Center Brunswick United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 P.M. at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 4-7:00 P.M.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd. Rensselaer, NY 12144 or to Center Brunswick United Methodist Church, 990 Hoosick Street, Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Ruth A. Ashley.
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