Ruth V. Ashcraft

ASHCRAFT, RUTH V. (STRONG) Ruth V. (Strong) Ashcraft, born April 30, 1924 in Cleveland, OH, passed away on March 14th. A 44-year resident of Westport, CT, she dedicated herself to the town of Westport and was a fierce defender of women's rights. In 2004, she was the proud recipient of the Silver Donkey Award given by the Democratic Women of Westport. Ruth served for eight years on the RTM where she chaired the Education Committee, and was a member of the Staples Modernization Committee in the 1970's. Over the years Ruth served on the Board of the League of Women Voters and was instrumental in the promotion of a resolution by the RTM supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. She traveled to Florida under the auspices of N.O.W. to promote the passage of the ERA, walking through neighborhoods and knocking on doors. Ruth received her B.A from Hiram College and her M.S.W. from Case-Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. Her career in Social Work was spent primarily at Mediplex of Westport, where she served as the Director of Social Services for 30 years. Ruth was an avid tennis player when she was not at work or rallying for a cause. As a retiree, Ruth enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She spent countless enjoyable hours at the Center for Senior Activities, working with the Democratic Women of Westport, playing bridge and exercising and socializing at the gym. She loved traveling to her favorite beaches in Ogunquit, ME and Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Ruth is survived by three daughters, Barbara Gehrmann, son-in-law Ken and granddaughter Kiersten of Orlando, FL, Gail Shobin, son-in-law Mark and grandchildren Sara, Zack and Jake of Sudbury, MA and Nancy D'Amico and son-in-law Ed and grandsons James and Nathan of Branford, CT and a nephew and several nieces. She is predeceased by her parents Fred and Alva Strong of Cleveland, OH and her only sibling, Catherine Scheuren of Pleasanton, CA. The family will hold a memorial at a future date. Donations in her honor can be made to Project Return, 124 North Compo Road, Westport, CT 06880 or Planned Parenthood at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., 434 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001.


This obituary was originally published in Minuteman (Fairfield, CT).