About
Ruth Trask Obituary
NORTHBORO / WEST BOYLSTON
Ruth Ann Shonyo Trask of Northborough, MA, formerly of West Boylston, MA, a former alumni information editor at Worcester (MA) Polytechnic Institute, died on July 26, 2016 in Northborough, MA.
She was born on Feb. 9, 1930, in St. Johnsbury, VT, to the late Lewis Dickinson Shonyo and Marion Fisher Shonyo of Lyndonville, VT. Her stepmother, Alice Hawkins Shonyo, passed away in 1991.
While a student at Lyndon Institute she was named an honorary member of Joe Kelly's Quiz Kids following a nationwide essay-writing contest. She graduated from Colby Junior College (now Colby-Sawyer College) where she won a campus correspondent award from the former Mademoiselle Magazine. She was a charter member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Colby Junior. After graduating from Middlebury College, where she belonged to Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, she attended Katharine Gibbs School in Boston.
Before joining the staff at WPI, Mrs. Trask was a reporter for the Caledonian-Record and the Addison County Independent in Vermont. She won an honorary short story writing award from Writer's Digest and poetry awards from Ideals.
She formerly sang with the Old South Church Choir in Boston, the Master Singers in Worcester, and the First Congregational Church Choir in West Boylston, MA.
In 1951 Ruth enjoyed a trip on the Queen Mary. In 1968 she and her family were rescued by the Canadian Mounties following a train wreck in the Rockies. They spent many happy vacations in Boothbay Harbor, ME.
Her survivors include her former husband William F. Trask and daughter Carrie of West Boylston, MA, daughter Laurie %5Bhusband James Mann%5D of Pittsburgh, PA, two sons, Jeff %5Bwife Rachel%5D of Silver Spring, MD, and Terry %5Bwife Jessica%5D of Northboro, MA, and grandchildren Leslie Mann, Luke Trask and Emily Trask. Also survived by her cousins Sybil Hazen, Nancy Rahm and their families.
The funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church, West Boylston, MA, at 10 AM on Saturday, July 30. There are no visiting hours. Burial will be at Lyndon Center Cemetery, Lyndon Center, VT, at 11 AM on Monday, August 1.
Donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of West Boylston Organ Fund, 26 Central St., West Boylston, MA 01583; and JHC Hospice, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
Arrangements are in the care of FAY BROTHERS Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston Street, West Boylston, MA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
People and places connected with Ruth
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Bill Cunningham
July 21, 2024
I have so many fond memories of Ruth Shonyo Trask. She and Bill made WPI a special place for everyone who came in contact with them. We will be forever influenced by their love of family, life and WPI.
Laurie Trask Mann
July 26, 2023
Mom at her 70th birthday party, Sterling Inn, February 2000.
Lisa & Christopher Heyl '84
August 8, 2016
Dean Trask - You are in our thoughts during this difficult time. We are certain the many wonderful memories of Ruth will provide the strength you need. Hope to see you at ATO or on our trip to campus!
Cindy Young (WPI '97)
August 7, 2016
Bill and family, I remember Ruth from my time working in the Alumni office before attending WPI as a student. She has done so much for the WPI community through the years, and we all enjoyed her publishing work. So sorry to hear of your loss.
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August 3, 2016
Bill and Family,
You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Joe & Donna Ferrantino '67
Bill Cooper
August 3, 2016
Bill,
Very sorry to hear about Ruth's passing. Will remember forever that trip we took to the World's Fair in Montreal with you, Ruth and Stumpp. Hope to see you in the near future and catch up.
Jay Botop '66
August 3, 2016
Bill,
So sorry to hear the loss of Ruth. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Lester Reynolds
August 3, 2016
All WPI grads honor your long history
in helping WPI..thanks to your family .........Les Reynolds, WPI 1950
Diane Pritchard-Clayton
August 3, 2016
It is with sadness that I read Ruth's passing. I remember many hours spent with Ruth over the years, being the daughter of Robert Pritchard. My deepest sympathy to her family. They will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Valerie (Kschinka) Mason
August 3, 2016
Bill, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
J D Cattel
August 3, 2016
Bill,
Very sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere sympathy
Walter & Carolyn Towner
August 3, 2016
Dear Brother Bill, Carolyn and I are deeply sorry for your loss. As you might recall I met Ruth in Boothbay Harbor during the summer of 1981, and many times after that. She was a terrific lady!
Wally and Carolyn Towner and Family
Bill Cunningham
August 2, 2016
Bill, Carrie, Laurie, Jeff + Terry,
The world has lost a wonderful lady. Great memories of Ruth's work at WPI, fun times at Boothbay, and generally putting up with all of us - she was truly the First Lady of WPI. Marty and I will keep y'all in our prayers. Peace.
July 30, 2016
Bill, Carrie, Lauren, Jeff and Terry,
Many fond memories and visuals of Ruth from our years at WPI and the many years since during our numerous vists to campus. Ruth made us feel loved like a mom does whenever we saw her. She and all of you are in our prayers.
Love,
John & Ginny FitzPatrick
July 30, 2016
To the Trask family, our thoughts and prayers our with you. Ruth is resting peace.
Jack and Pauline McCormick
Marie McGrain
July 29, 2016
Dear Bill and Family-It has been many years since we were neighbors in West Boylston but we have fond memories of
Ruth and your children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Marie and Jerry McGrain and Family
Teplansky Family
July 29, 2016
Wonderful memories of spending time with Ruthie. She was kind, funny and a wonderful friend and neighbor. We loved her very much and will miss her.
Paul & Nancy Popinchalk
July 29, 2016
To Bill & Family;
We offer our condolences & compassion on the passing of Ruth. May you find comfort in her memory & the time she shared with you. We wish you peace.
Laura Folsom
July 29, 2016
Terry and Jessica,
We were so saddened to hear of your mom's passing. May you find peace knowing that she is with the Lord.
~ Laura and Brian Folsom
Cindy Price
July 28, 2016
Bill and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Ruth's passing. Although I hadn't seen her for a long time, she was always kind to me during my time in school at WPI. I hope your happy memories of time spent together will help you get through.
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