Ruth L. Fogarty

Fogarty, Ruth L. SCHENECTADY Ruth L. Fogarty, 77, passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 surrounded by her family after a short illness. Ruth was born in Fultonville, N.Y. on May, 17, 1929, a daughter of Howard and Myra Hayes. She was a 1947 graduate of Fultonville High School. She was a longtime employee of the Town of Niskayuna and New York State and retired as the executive secretary of State Senator Hugh T. Farley. She was passionate about how society treated every individual, not just in words but also in actions. In particular, she always made sure to volunteer at the annual Thanksgiving dinner drive of Concern for the Hungry. She was active in the Senior Citizens Center of York Beach, Maine and she was a longtime member of Niskayuna Women's Republican Club. She loved to sew. She wore her own creations to each of the marriages of her children. In her retirement, she and her husband enjoyed spending their winters in Fla. and their summers in York Beach, Maine. Ruth leaves behind her husband of 37 years, Robert J. Fogarty; her son, Michael Luft (Wendy); her daughters, Beverly Luft and Katie Staalesen (Jim), her sons, Robert Fogarty Jr. (Alex) of N.C., Richard Fogarty (Beth) of Calif., James Fogarty (Harriet) and a daughter Eileen Bolognino (Joseph) of Albany. She is also survived by her sisters, Ida Ochampaugh and Florence Pulis, both of Fultonville; and her brother, Alfred Hayes of Amsterdam; as well 19 grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband of 14 years, Harold W. Luft, who passed away in July 1963, a sister, Myra Mowrey, and granddaughter, Robyn Fogarty. The family wishes to thank the St. Clare's Hospital emergency room staff for their concern and compassion; Rev. Roberta Place, for her comfort and thoughtful insight; and especially the nursing and support staff of St. Clare's Hospital 3rd Floor South for their dedication, outstanding care, and overwhelming support to Ruth and her family. The family also wishes to thank the staff of Community Hospice for easing Ruth's passage into eternal life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Church, Union St., Schenectady followed by burial in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects to Ruth from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Friday at Jones Funeral Home, Inc., 1503 Union St., Schenectady. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Clare's Hospital Foundation, Concern for the Hungry, or Community Hospice Inc.