Ruthie H. Garvey

Beechertown – Ruthie H. Garvey, 96, passed away at Massena Memorial Hospital on Sunday, November 3, 2019.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop.

Born on September 29, 1923 in Massena, Ruthie is the daughter of the late Maynard and Clara Della (Tower) Hartson.  She milked cows on the family farm and cleaned houses while attending Brasher Stockholm High School.  After graduation in 1941, she became a waitress at the Lake Ozonia Lodge in Hopkinton, then on to ALCOA in the pay office as a clerk typist and at Canton Potsdam Hospital as a Nurses Aide.   On February 6, 1944, she married Lawrence E. Garvey at the Brasher Falls United Methodist Parsonage.  Mr. Garvey passed away on August 18, 1990.

Ruthie was an active member of the Buckton United Methodist Church, the Stockholm Historical Association and the Union Cemetery Association.  Ruthie as a mom and matriarch was kind, loving and gentle-hearted.  She treated everyone with respect and sincerity, always having the time to visit.

She is survived by two children; Larry Garvey and Nancy LaBier of Winthrop and Debra and Peter Parker of Potsdam, her grandchildren; Peter and Emily Parker, Michael Parker, Melissa and Jeff Sunderland, Gordon Parker, Joshua Garvey, Jedidiah Garvey and Lara and Jerry Taylor, her great grandchildren; Peyton, Rylee, Jack, Sophia, Steven, Paige, Corey, Gabrielle, Hunter, Bradley, Valerie and Odessa, and survived by many nieces and nephews.  She was the last member of her family, predeceased by the five Hartson brothers, Carlton, Charles, Clayton, Malcolm and Clyde.

Visitation will be held Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop.  A Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 am with burial to follow at Union Cemetery in Buckton.  In following her wishes, flowers are gratefully declined, and donations in her honor can be made to a church or charity of your choice.

Memories can be shared with Ruthies’ family at www.hammillfh.com.