Ruth Cook-Begany

Ruth Cook-Begany of New City, NY, beloved mother & friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. She was 90 years old.
Born in Teaneck, NJ to parents Fred G. John, and Winifred E. Scheld, Ruth pursued interests in art and horseback riding, and had a love for all animals. She attended Teaneck High School, and graduated from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA in 1956 with a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology. She married her first husband, Aaron Cook in 1959, who died in 1980, and settled in Rockland County, where she would live the rest of her life. She was employed by Clarkstown Pediatrics in Nanuet, NY, for 10 years as a Medical Technologist, and finished her professional career at Fresenius Medical in Northvale, NJ.
In 1995, she married her second husband, William R. Begany from Yonkers, NY, where they enjoyed a beautiful retirement together, traveling the world, until his death in 2014. Ruth loved all things arts & crafts, especially ceramics, and volunteered at the Historical Society of Rockland County in New City, NY as a docent & educator, for over two decades. She was also a member of the Ladies Elks Club, Lodge 877 in Haverstraw, NY, and Clarkstown Seniors.
Additionally, she was pre-deceased by her beloved rescue cats, Morris, 3-legged Buckey, and Molly.
She is survived by her daughter Marie John, from Jeffersonville, PA, daughter Laureen Cook, from North Bethesda, MD, and son Kenneth Cook, from Suffern, NY. Ruth's final years were spent in residence at Sunrise Assisted Living in New City, NY, where she received the finest of care, and enjoyed many daily activities. She was kind and loving to all, with a beautiful heart, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Visitation for friends & family will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Joseph W. Sorce Funeral Home in West Nyack, NY from 4pm to 8pm.
A Christian Funeral Service will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025 at ST. Thomas Lutheran Church in Central Nyack, NY at 11am, followed by interment at George Washington Memorial Cemetery in Paramus, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ruth's favorite charity: Care About The Strays, P.O. Box 523, New City, NY 10956. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ruth, please visit our Tree Store.