Mary Ruth (Cook) O’Donnell, known to many as Aunt Ruth, died peacefully at her home in Provincetown on Friday morning March 9, 2012 in the company of her beloved family. She was the wife of the late Richard W. O’Donnell who died in 1967. Born in Provincetown on March 31, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Manuel and Viola (Ferreira) Cook. Aunt Ruth enjoyed her life which consisted primarily of her extended family, her church and her work. For 67 years, she worked as a waitress in various Provincetown restaurants, beginning her career at the Provincetown Inn and finishing at Ciro’s in 1995. She reluctantly retired at 81 due to a heart condition. She was a lifetime active member and Eucharistic minister of St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown.
Her long and healthy life was sustained by her youthful spirit and her ability to find renewed joy in everyday existence. Her interest in people was effortless and she accepted everyone without question. A simple phrase that she would often repeat that guided her beliefs was “we are all God’s children.”
She is survived by two of her three daughters and 8 of her 9 grandchildren. Her daughters are Patricia “Patsy” Sargent and her husband Ed of Lancaster, PA and Ruth Ann (O’Donnell) Hurd of Lewiston, ME. She was the mother of the late Kathleen O’Donnell who died in 1969. Her grandson Randy Roderick died in 2008. She is also survived by several great and great -great grandchildren and many others.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter the Apostle Church 11 Prince St. Provincetown on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 10:00am. Visiting hours are Monday at the Gately-McHoul Funeral Home 94 Harry Kemp Way Provincetown from 4-7pm. If desired, memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Provincetown Council on Aging 26 Alden St. Provincetown, MA 02657, St. Vincent Du Paul Society, c/o St. Peter Church 11 Prince St. Provincetown, MA 02657 or to VNA Hospice and Palliative Care 434 Route134,suite G-1 South Dennis, MA 02660.