Ruth Wardell Hitchcock

Rexford, NY-Ruth Wardell Hitchcock, 102, of Rexford, New York, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2018 at her home in Rexford, N.Y., surrounded by her loving family. Born in Forest Park, Queen’s County, N.Y. on September 21, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Edna Wardell. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Roy Clinton Hitchcock, who died in 1971, her sister, Edna, brother, Walter, nephews Bob and Walter Wardell and her very special cousin, Louis Strong. A very talented student, she graduated at age 15 from high school in Richmond Hill, N.Y. In addition to her initial position at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper, Ruth was an extremely talented singer, frequently sought after as a concert and church soloist in New York City. After her marriage to Roy C. Hitchcock in 1937, she lived in Nassau County, settling in Williston Park. Here she raised her family and assisted her husband in his advertising business. Ruth was a devoted and loving mother, always there for her children, always ready to support and care for them. She was a leader in both her church and community. At the Community Church of East Williston, she served as a trustee and an elder, and brought her musical talents to the church’s senior choir. She served as Church secretary and treasurer and, along with her husband, was extremely active in the church Couples Club. Ruth was a very talented thespian who not only starred in many of the highly regarded Couples Club annual plays, but also was called on for a number of summer stock productions, playing such starring roles as Elwood P. Dowd’s sister, Veta, in the Broadway hit, “Harvey.” She also directed the Club’s plays for many years and, along with her husband, Roy, devoted countless hours to the Club, serving as officers and helping to organize fund raising activities as well as many social events. In addition to her church, Ruth was a tireless volunteer in many community organizations. She served in leadership positions in the PTA and the Women’s Club, and was a docent at Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury. For many years, Ruth volunteered at the Dialysis Unit at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. In fact, the Hospital awarded her their Volunteer of the Year Award for her hundreds and hundreds of hours of dedicated service to the patients in the Unit. Ruth greatly enjoyed traveling, visiting many countries in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and many states across the USA. Special highlights included Alaska, the Grand Canyon, Bermuda, and Ireland. She continued to travel until late in life. She and her husband were devoted bridge players, she was an avid reader of mystery novels, an accomplished solver of crossword puzzles and, until her 102nd year, could solve “Wheel of Fortune” puzzles quicker than most of the contestants. In July, 2009, Ruth sold her home of 68 years in Williston Park and moved to Coburg Village in Rexford, N.Y to be near her daughter, Karen, and her husband, the late Murray R. Blair. After Murray’s passing in 2010, she moved to live with Karen, also residing in Rexford. Ruth is survived by her three children, Roy Jr. (Judy) of Washburn, WI, Garrett (Patricia) of Greencastle, Ireland and Karen (the late Murray Blair); five grandchildren- Wendy, Sharon, Sandi, Cristin and Todd; seven great grandchildren – Cassie, Lindsey, Mitchell, Jacob, Eric, Matthew and Kailey; and, one great-great grandchild – Hailey. She is also survived by nieces Jean Wardell and Brenda (Hitchcock) Souza and nephews, Bruce and John Wardell and Edward and Ryer Hitchcock. The family would like to thank her doctors, especially Robert Busch and Michael Wolff, and all her caregivers from We Care Most, including Amanda, Kate, Zaheeda, Suzie, Amy, Chelsi, Briana, Kiera and Davelle, for the devoted care they provided to Ruth. McVeigh Funeral Home of Albany is assisting with the arrangements. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Community Reformed Church, Clifton Park. Family and friends are invited for calling hours at the church on Friday, from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, N.Y. at a later date. Friends who would like to remember Ruth in a special way may make a donation in her memory to Christ Community Reformed Church. To leave a special message for the family, light a candle, obtain directions or view other helpful services please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Ruth Wardell Hitchcock

September 21, 1915 - June 5, 2018