Obituary of Mary Ruth Swope

SWOPE – Mary Ruth (Miller), 90, of Ebensburg, passed away peacefully December 27, 2015 at home surrounded by her loving family. Born January 18, 1925 on the family farm near Hastings, daughter of the late Dennis and Edith (Lantzy) Miller. Preceded in death by brothers: Gerald, Pius, Donald, Byron, & Elmer Miller, and sister, Emma Kirsch. Survived by husband William “Bill” to whom she was married 44 years; and these children: Leonard (Joan) Swope, Brownsburg, Indiana; Lawrence (Virginia) Swope, Medford, New York; James (Denise) Swope, Indiana, Pa.; Richard (Deborah) Swope, and Cynthia (Thomas) Keefe, all of Hastings; Brian (Mary) Swope, Bloomfield, Pa; and Robert (Sharon) Swope, of Ebensburg. Also survived by 26 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and brother, Leo (Phoebe) Miller, of Buffalo, New York. Mary Ruth was a member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, where she had served as a volunteer at the rectory and for many years assisted in the counting of the weekly offertory. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the America’s. She will be long remembered for her baking; homemade breads, fudge, Special K cookies and Rhubarb jellies were just a few of her specialties. She also enjoyed golfing, gardening, ceramics, card playing, bowling and caring for her family. Friends will be received from 4 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held Tuesday evening. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at Holy Name Church, Rev. Monsignor David Lockard, celebrant. Interment at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Hastings. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ruth’s memory may be made to the Holy Name School Angel Fund or by way of Masses and Spiritual Bouquets.