Ruth L. Burnell

Formerly of Highland Falls, N.Y.

Ruth L. Burnell passed away at St. Teresa's Nursing Home in Middletown, N.Y. on Saturday, February 10, 2007. She was 100.

Born on Friday, April 13, 1906 in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., she was the daughter of Sgt. Joseph Coker and Marie Reeves Coker. She was nicknamed "Lucky" by her mother and spent over 90 years as a resident of Highland Falls, N.Y., moving to Southwinds Retirement Home in 1998.

Ruth worked for 42 years in the Laundry at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, retiring in 1965. She was an avid reader, world traveler, and gourmet cook. As an Army brat, she loved working at West Point and was familiar with many historic figures of the Academy including Supt. Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Marty Maher. She was also a devoted Army sports fan, paricularly fond of "the boys" on the U.S.M.A. football program, a team whose exploits she followed by attending many home and away games.

She and her husband, George (Jockey, Jocko) Burnell, were married for 68 years before his passing in 2000. She was also predeceased by her brother, Joseph and her sister, Frances Hachey.

Survivors include niece, Ruth Pollard and her husband, Walter of Texas; brother-in-law, Edwin Burnell and his wife, Ione of Pennsylvania; nephew, John Fitzsimons and his wife, Jenean of Fort Montgomery, N.Y. and niece, Marica Barki and her husband, Jules of New Windsor, N.Y., along with many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Friends may call on Friday, February 16, 2007 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at William F. Hogan Funeral Home, 135 Main Street, Highland Falls, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, February 17 at 9:45 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 353 Main Street, Highland Falls, N.Y. with the Rev. Jack Arlotta officiating.

Memorial donations in Ruth's name can be made to Sacred Heart Church, 353 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY 10928.

Funeral arrangements were made by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, Highland Falls, N.Y.