HOWLAND Ruth Anne Montgomery O'Melia, 86, died on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Shepherd of the Valley Howland following a 2-month illness with cancer. Ruth was born January 21, 1922, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late John Laurence Montgomery, Sr. and Leila Manor Ward Montgomery. Ruth was a 1939 graduate of Taylor Alderdice High School in Pittsburgh and attended Monmouth (IL) College. While both were working as summer camp counselors, Ruth and William Adair "Lefty" O'Melia, Jr. began a friendship which blossomed into marriage on October 28, 1944 at Second United Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Ruth and Bill then moved to Corpus Christi, TX, until Bill was discharged from the Navy in 1945. They returned to Pittsburgh and together enjoyed 43 years of marriage during which they golfed, bowled, played bridge, traveled extensively, and were very active in their church. After her children began school, Ruth was employed for many years as a secretary by the Hebron United Presbyterian Church in Penn Hills, PA and retired after 11 years as a secretary at Johnson School in Wilkinsburg, PA. Ruth enjoyed reading mysteries, and loved playing bridge. She traveled, attended sporting events, and was a special part of her family and friends activities. Ruth enjoyed camping and vacationing with her son and daughter-in-law, and visiting and traveling with her daughter and son-in-law. Ruth was a member of two bridge clubs in Howland, and was an avid Howland, Ohio State, and lifetime Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Ruth was a long-time member of the Hebron U.P. Church in Penn Hills, PA and a member of Howland Community Church since moving to Ohio in March, 1998 to be near her son and family. She was the first person to purchase an independent living villa at Shepherd of the Valley Howland, where she resided from February 1999 until her recent illness. Ruth was an active 57-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and was a current member of Chapter EE in Warren, OH. Over the years, she held every PEO chapter office and was the charter president of Chapter AL in Pittsburgh. Left to cherish her memory are her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Carol O'Melia of Howland; her daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Gary Logsdon of Utah; her step-sister and husband, Mary Lou and John Bolton of Cincinnati, and her grandsons, Jason (Jodi) Logsdon of Connecticut, and Justin Thomas of Howland. She is also survived by another grandson, Scott O'Melia of Georgia. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband on December 29, 1987, and by her brother John Montgomery, Jr., her step-mother Virginia Mitchell Montgomery, and her step-brother Robert Mitchell. Affectionately known to her family as "Queen Mum," Ruth's legacy will be her continual demonstration of unconditional love and devotion to her family. She was courageous while facing her terminal illness, and was steadfast in her faith. While we will dearly miss her presence with us, we will be forever grateful for the joy she brought to our lives. Ruth's family will receive friends on Wednesday Oct. 8, 2008 from 2 to 4, and 6 to 8 at the Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren, Ohio. A celebration of Ruth's life will be held 11 AM Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Bill Logsdon of Murraysville, PA officiating. Interment will follow at a later date at the Allegheny County Memorial Park in Allison Park, PA. Ruth and her family received great comfort from all those who visited, sent cards, and phoned Ruth during her illness, and especially wish to thank Rev. Jerry Kruse for his many visits. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Shepherd's Foundation, 5525 Silica Road, Austintown, OH 44515, or to PEO Chapter EE, c/o Therese Hurlbert, 8728 Forest Hill Drive, Warren OH 44484.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Roberts-Clark Funeral Chapel
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