E. Ruth Benson Farren

E. Ruth (Bash) Benson Farren, 100, formerly of Apollo, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025 in Good Samaritan Hospice House – Wexford, PA.
Ruth was born on November 9, 1925 in Revloc, PA, Cambria County, as a daughter of the late John & Edna (Morgan) Bash.
Ruth moved from Revloc to Oklahoma Borough and then to Paulton until after the 1936 flood, and then moved to 314 South 5th Street in Apollo. She was a resident of the Apollo area for approximately 78 years. In 2018, she moved to Wexford, PA to live with her son, Darrell.
Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Apollo until the church moved to Spring Church. Then, she attended the Apollo Free Methodist Church with her niece, Gloria Lookhart.
Ruth married David Benson in 1950, and he passed away in December of 1954. They had one son, Darrell Benson, of Wexford, and one step-son, Jerry Benson, of Tucson, AZ. Ruth married Charles "Chuck" Farren on October 9, 1967. Together, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October of 2017. Charles passed away on January 24, 2018.
Ruth was employed by the Aurora's Dry Cleaning Shop in Apollo, and worked at several restaurants in the Apollo and Leechburg areas as well. She babysat for children in private homes in Apollo for many years. Ruth was last employed at the Play Care Center (formerly located at North 2nd Street in Apollo) for nine years. She enjoyed watching infants and other children, giving them lots of tender, loving care. She was affectionately known by staff, parents, and kids as "Miss Ruth."
Ruth enjoyed walking and would often be seen walking around the Apollo area. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading the Our Daily Bread publication, Chicken Soup books, Reader's Digest, and many others, along with reading her Bible daily. Ruth liked watching and listening to the different groups of the 1950's on TV. She enjoyed game shows and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates.
In addition to her parents and spouses, Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers: Howard, Donald, Gerald, Robert, Raymond, and step-brother, Carl Bash; her sisters, Helen (Bash) Slicker, Grace (Bash) Roudebush, Eleanor (Bash) Lants, and step-sister, Ada (Bash) Uptegraph.
Ruth is survived by her son, Darrell (Darlene) Benson of Wexford; step-son, Jerry Benson of Tucson, AZ; step-children, Jason Stragand, Jeremy (Chelsea) Stragand, Jarod (Stefanie) Stragand, and Jonathan (Courtney) Stragand; her step-granddaughters, Naomi and Laken; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, November 28, 2025 in the Apollo Free Methodist Church, 1027 PA-56, Apollo from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Erika Rabickow officiating. Interment in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Curran-Shaffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Apollo.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ruth's name to the Apollo Free Methodist Church.