Guerra-Snyder, Ruth of Natick, August 7, 2016, formerly of Phoenix, AZ and Hyde Park, MA. Loving mother of Denise Coughlan and her husband Paul, the late Ruth Pauline Gralinski and her husband Michael, Frederick Guerra and his wife Barbara, Christopher and his wife Peg, Nina and her husband Gary. Cherished grandmother of twelve grandchildren. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Ruth was the eldest of six children, born December 2, 1922 in Boston. After graduating from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Nursing Program she received a scholarship to Catholic University in Washington DC and taught nursing from 1944 until 1946.
Ruth married her high school sweetheart, Freddy Guerra, on February 2, 1946 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Freddy was with the Glenn Miller Army-Air Force band during World War II. Ruth and Freddy were invited to Cannes, France for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day to celebrate the life and service of Glenn Miller.
During semi-retirement Ruth and Freddy lived in Phoenix, AZ and the Balsams Resort in Dixville Notch, NH, where Freddy served as the musical director for eighteen years. After Freddy’s death in 2003 Ruth remained in Phoenix where in 2007 she met and married Frank Snyder. The couple lived happily until Frank’s death in 2012 when Ruth returned to the Boston area.
Ruth won the Mrs. Massachusetts pageant in 1959 and was a finalist in the Mrs. America pageant. She toured the US as a finalist and promoted Christian Dior Ski Wear.
Funeral from the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16), Wellesley on Wednesday August 10, at 9AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10AM. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours on Tuesday, in the funeral home, from 4-8pm. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Ruth’s memory to Catholic Charities, 51 Sleeper St. Boston, MA 02210 or at ccab.org.