Obituary of Ruth E. Ranta

Ruth E. Ranta, 82 of Woodstock, died Wednesday at the Westview Nursing Center in Killingly. Ruth was born November 17, 1922 in Teaneck, New Jersey, daughter of the late Matthew and Lydia (Jokiaho) Ranta, of Finland and Bradford Corners Rd., West Woodstock. She was a graduate of the Woodstock Academy Class of 1940. After graduation she moved to New York City, where she worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. in the office of the Terminal Freight Handling Corp. section for 33 years. Ruth was a committed worker and received many awards and recognitions for her work ethics while employed at Sears. In October 1976, Ruth suffered a stroke, causing an early retirement and a return to life in Woodstock with her sister, Helen, at the Marcy Farm at Black Pond in West Woodstock. Ruth loved life, was an avid bowler, loved to attend live theatre, the opera, and ballet in New York City, and enjoyed cooking. She also enjoyed reading books, sending cards and writing letters to stay connected. She leaves her sister, Helen M. Marcy, of Killingly, formerly of West Woodstock; a cousin in Illinois; many long time friends from New York, also the Woodstock and Killingly areas. She was predeceased by a brother Carl M. Ranta, who died in 1975. A grateful thank you to everyone who continued to write to Ruth, bringing her joy with the daily mail through the years, especially when she could no longer write. Many thanks to the staff of Westview Nursing Center for the concern and long term care Ruth received, and for the warm friendships she formed there. Ruth will be missed by many. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 PM at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. Burial in Barlow Cemetery in West Woodstock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in her memory to the Bungay Fire Brigade, 1256 Route 171, West Woodstock, CT 06281. To share a memory with the family, Light a Candle at www.smithandwalkerfh.com.