Obituary of Ruth A. McCann

Ruth A. McCann, 92, entered peacefully into eternal life on Thursday, April 19, 2018  in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family.  Ruth, a life-long resident of Lansingburgh, NY and member of Saint Augustine’s parish, was born in Troy to the late Ernest and Olga Goerold on October 19, 1925.  She was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School.  She married her beloved husband, the late John P. McCann, in 1949 and together they raised four cherished children.  Ruth was employed by the Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co., the Cluett Peabody Company, and the New York State Department of Labor, where she worked for 25 years before retiring at the age of 77.  

Ruth was a proud and gentle soul who saw beauty in life’s simple pleasures.  She loved the tranquility of the ocean, which she enjoyed on the beaches and along the rocky shoreline of Maine. With her family by her side, she visited Old Orchard Beach, ME for over 50 years, where she led early-morning excursions in pursuit of seashells and sand dollars, and aided her grandchildren in defending their sand castles from the infringing tide in the afternoons.  Ruth rarely came across a plant that she could not nurture, and was quick to research the preferences of any newly-introduced species in the botany encyclopedia that was always nearby.  She kept a deliberate and meticulous home and garden, both of which were extensively decorated as dictated by the season.  Christmas was Ruth’s favorite time of year, and it often required the combined effort of her large family to set up Ruth’s elaborate holiday scenes, which were simply perfect.  She loved children and animals, and was a benefactor of Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Ruth’s memory will be deeply cherished by those who loved her.  She is survived by her children, Robert (Cathy) McCann of Clifton Park, Joan (Jack) Hope of Latham, Thomas (Mary) McCann of Clifton Park and Edward (Julie) McCann of Clifton Park; her grandchildren, Brian Hope, Kristen Hope, Kaitlyn McCann, Megan McCann, Michael McCann, Matthew McCann, Sara McCann and Rachel McCann. In addition to her husband John P. McCann, she was predeceased by her sisters, Margaret Leist and Dorothy McCann, and her brother, Charles Goerold.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Ruth on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh. Calling hours will be held prior to the Mass on Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, 565 Fourth Ave, (corner of 115th St. in Lansingburgh), Troy, NY 12182.

Those who wish to remember Ruth in a special way may make memorial contributions in her name to The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

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