Ruth F. Cooney

Ruth F. Cooney, 55, of 116 Linwood Avenue, St. Marys, died peacefully on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at her home following an illness of the past few years.

She was born on March 21, 1963, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late Leo and Grace MacDonald Gregory.

On August 10, 1991 in St. Marys, she married Richard A. Cooney, who survives of St. Marys.

Ruthie was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, and then earned her nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.  She was a member of St. Boniface Church and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985 through 1988.  Together with her husband, they owned and operated Dave’s Saw Shop and R. Cooney Logging.

In addition to her husband, Richard A. Cooney, she is survived by her children, Elizabeth "Betsy" Dutoit and her husband Duane of Delhi, LA, Joseph Cooney of Rochester, NY, William Cooney and his wife Brianna of Kersey, John Cooney of Mt. Jewett, Michelle Muccio and her husband Roy Krise of St. Marys, and Thomas Cooney and his wife Lauren of St. Marys; by nine grandchildren, John, Olivia, James, Sophia, Ellis, Alex, Marcus, Vincent, and Michael and was looking forward to the birth of two more grandchildren.  She is also survived by five sisters; Margaret (Mike) Goetz of St. Marys, Anne (Mark) Kronenwetter of St. Marys, Mary (Carl) Leland of Zephyr Hills, FL, Helen “Puddy” (Steve) Krug of St. Marys, Katie (Joe) Benini of Kersey, three brothers; John "Ed" (Joan) Gregory, Thomas "Yody" (Linda) Gregory and William (Jill) Gregory, all of St. Marys, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

Known for her extraordinary personality and fun loving ways, Ruthie was the proud owner of a 1988 wood-paneled station wagon, lovingly dubbed "the ice cream car" in which many trips were made to the Dairy Queen.  She had an extensive collection of John Denver music, a penchant for Sam Elliott, and could often be found enjoying chocolate and a good cup of coffee.

Over the years, she amassed an arsenal of scrapbooking supplies, making cards for every occasion under the sun and enjoying every minute spent with her “scrapbooking girls”.

Strong, kind, and compassionate, she used her nursing skills endlessly over the years and spent most of her life taking care of and raising her family. She did a lot of volunteer work, and was active with Girl Scouts for many years.

Ruthie will be remembered for her ability to make any bad day seem better, her unending positive outlook, and always having a lap for her grandchildren to sit on.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Shannon Cooney.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Ruth F. Cooney will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at 10:00 AM at Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 with Fr. Ross Miceli, officiating.

Military Honors will be accorded by the Fox Township Burial Detail.

Interment will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Elk County Rides for Vets, 330 Main Street, Ridgway, PA 15853 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 98018 Washington, DC, 20090

Lynch-Green Funeral Home, 151 N. Michael St., St. Marys, is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com

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