Ruth A. Shawl

1944 - 2024

Ruth A. Shawl,

loving mother and grandmother

FRIENDSHIP - Ruth A. Shawl, 79, of 4430 Route 275, Friendship, passed away Friday (May 31, 2024) at Olean General Hospital, after a brief illness.

Born June 2, 1944, in Wellsville, she was a daughter of Kenneth W. and Gladys M. Lobdell Water. On June 30, 1962, in Andover, she married Raymond G. "Ted" Shawl, who predeceased her Feb. 19, 2019.

She was a graduate of Andover Central School.

While her children were young, she worked in the cafeteria at Friendship Central School. In 1978, she went to work at Cuba Memorial Hospital, working in the operating room, radiology department, at one time was the activities director and finished her 40-year career in the medical records department.

Ruth attended the Friendship United Methodist Church and was a member of McKee Tristar Chapter 242 Order of the Eastern Star.

She loved shopping, baking, cooking and gardening, both flowers and vegetables. She was able to start a conversation with anyone she met and always enjoyed sharing stories with them.

Ruth attended her children's sporting events, concerts and activities, and made it a point to continue that same tradition with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also a special caregiver to her son-in-law John and always kept a strong connection with her nieces and nephews and their families.

She leaves behind a son, Michael (Ellen) Shawl of Friendship; a daugher, Heidi (John) Pockey of Black Creek; three grandchildren, Anthony (Erin) Shawl, Kaite Shawl-Morris and Thomas Galatio; four great-grandchildren, Austyn, Tanner, Bailey and Eileigh; two sisters-in-law, Alice (Harry) Hurd and Sandy Shawl, both of Cuba; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Carl Waters; and two sisters, Betty and Jean.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today (June 4, 2024) at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull St., Cuba. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday (June 5, 2024) in the funeral home. The Rev. Marc Chamberlain will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Friendship. Members of McKee Tri-Star Chapter 242 O.E.S. will conduct services in the funeral home Tuesday evening at 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the SPCA Serving Allegany County or to the Hart Comfort House of Allegany County.