Ruth Penney McManus passed away on May 3, 2016 after a courageous struggle with congestive heart failure. Ruth both accepted and challenged her medical condition and was willing to place her future in the will of her Higher Power.
Ruth was born November 18, 1927 in New York City to Warren and Elsie (LeViness) Penney. She spent her early childhood in New York City and moved to Orange County for the happiest times of her youth. Ruth was welcomed into the Sammie Phelps' family and spent many days on their dairy farm, usually riding her pedal bike to their Riverside Farm to participate in chores.
Ruth graduated from Walden High School (New York) and established their first Teen Center. She was also involved in the youth activities of the Dutch Reformed Church. Ruth continued her education at Spencerism Business in New York, Bentley College, Framingham State College and was grateful to have the opportunity to audit classes at Wellesley College from 1982-1997.
Ruth was employed in a variety of capabilities beginning with a NYC Civil Service Appointment in 1945, followed by the George Jonas Fur Company and the Bartlett Law Firm, both of Walden. Ruth married Edward F. McManus on April 11, 1948 and later divorced.
Arriving in Massachusetts in 1955, Ruth was employed by Wellesley College as an assistant for the Clapp Library, Science Center, Green Hall Office of Admissions, and as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Physical Plant. She additionally supplemented her income to care for several elders and children, and worked at several retail stores.
Ruth was involved with her children's activities such as PTA Officer and Girl Scout Leader. Ruth taxied her girls and her brother Ronnie, who lived with them, to piano, horseback riding, swimming and ice skating, as well as the wonderful trips to Waterville Valley, New Hampshire and Cape Cod.
Ruth thoroughly enjoyed her volunteer work for the Catholic Florence Crittenden League of Boston and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She relished her affiliations with the MFA of Boston, Wellesley Hills Women's Club, Council of Aging, Creative Connections at the Morse Institute Library, The Friendship Circle, Wellesley Friendly Aid Society, and the Wayside Inn DAR Chapter.
Ruth was an avid gardener, enjoyed her travels with the Elder Hostel Program, the beach, and the arts, especially her watercolor classes and the Boston Symphony Orchestra POPS.
Ruth requested that she be remembered as a loving mother to her daughters and her youngest brother whom she raised. She leaves her daughters Maureen McManus-Tuma (Michael) of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Patrice McManus Soule of Wellesley, and Deborah McManus Avery (Curt) of Concord, New Hampshire. Additionally, Ruth is survived by her brother Ronald G. Penney of New York. With loving fondness Ruth leaves her three granddaughters, Elizabeth Soule Leary (Conan), Rebecca Soule, and Brooke Armstrong Avery, as well as her great-grandsons Seamus and Brogan Leary. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her infant son Shaun E. McManus, her daughter Colleen R. McManus, and her brother Warren W. Penney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Paul Church, 502 Washington St., (Route 16) Wellesley, Friday, May 6th at 9 a.m. Burial will be private.