Ruth C. Shea

Ruth C. Shea passed away on Sunday morning, April 2, 2023 at the age of 91.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Tom in 2010; her parents, Amelia and Joseph Freisen; a sister, Margaret (Robert) Kupec; and a brother, Tom (Patti) Freisen.
Ruth and Tom were long-time residents of Ashland coming from Youngstown, Ohio. Tom was a pharmacist who owned and operated Medical Arts Pharmacy for over 40 years. They were members of St. Edward Catholic Church where their children attended school and grew up with many wonderful friendships throughout the years.
Ruth was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her six children, Tom Shea of Richmond, Virginia, Bob (Beth) Shea of Overland Park, Kansas, Peggy (Rusty) Hastings of New Bern, North Carolina, Kathy Shea of Dallas, Texas, Pat (Kim) Shea of Richmond, Virginia, and Jim (Heidi) Shea of Ashland; proud grandmother of five, Katie and Nicholas Shea of Overland Park, Kansas and Tom, Tim, and Matt Shea of Ashland; four nephews and one niece, Kevin (Kim) Freisen, Kristopher Freisen, Joe and Jeff Kupec and Lisa (Patrick) Kupec Ross.
She was devoted to daily prayer and the Catholic faith and prayed and cared deeply for her family's salvation.
Ruth was born on January 30, 1932 in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Ameilia E. (Abbey) and Joseph Jacob Freisen. As were her parents, Ruth was blessed with the gift of music, and of her favorite memories growing up were playing the piano and singing with her parents and attending theatrical shows. She graduated from Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Ohio in 1949. After graduation, she studied nursing at St. Elizabeth School of Nursing earning her RN in 1952. She worked as a registered nurse there until her marriage to Tom in 1953. Before settling in Ashland to raise their family, Ruth and Tom lived in Fort Meade, Maryland, where Tom was serving in the Army.
Ruth enjoyed being active in St. Edward's church choir and playing the organ and singing for numerous weddings and funerals over the years. In addition, Ruth volunteered for many years at St. Edward's Hunger Center and the Ashland Blood Bank. When she was younger, she always volunteered to drive those who were not able, friends and strangers alike, to doctor appointments or to the grocery store. Later in her life, Ruth regretted not being able to attend mass and seeing her life-long friends. She very much appreciated Sally Mohrman's daily visits with the holy eucharist. Ruth had a great sense of humor and loved laughing and making others laugh.
Ruth was a staunch defender of life and became involved with the Ohio Right of Life organization in the 1970's. She stood up for the unborn and traveled to give presentations to countless groups around Ohio.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Edward Catholic Church with Father Rod Kreidler presiding. Interment will follow in the Ashland Cemetery. Friends and family may gather one hour prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Ruth requested memorial contributions be made to Ohio Right to Life, 65 E State Street, Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43215 or to the Ashland Pregnancy Center, 119 Sloan Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home's website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.