Obituary of Ruth M. Shumard

GREENVILLE – Ruth M. Shumard, 79, formerly of Downsville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at St. Peter's Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Albany after a lengthy illness. Born in Peoria, Illinois on September 4, 1938, she was daughter of the late Herschel and Frieda Neyka Shumard. The family moved to Whittier, California when Ruth was young. She lived in Whittier, La Habra, San Luis Obispo, and finally in San Jose in 1989 to be near her daughter. Ruth moved with her daughter's family to Connecticut in 2001, then to Downsville in 2006. She served as church musician at First United Methodist Church in Walton and St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Downsville, and taught piano privately. Ruth enjoyed knitting and crocheting, flower gardening, watching and feeding birds, and spending time with her family. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Laura J. Ashby and her husband, Rev. Dale Ashby of Greenville; her grandson, Philip Ashby; her siblings, Margaret Magee of Walnut, Lynn (Masako) Shumard of Big Pine, Thomas (Rose) Shumard of San Jose, and Elizabeth (Richard) Cox of Paso Robles, all in California; many wonderful nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by her infant daughter, Maryellen Ruth Horsley. In keeping with Ruth's wishes, she has been cremated privately. Memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church, 101 North Street, Walton, NY 13856, or to Community Hospice, 310 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 will be appreciated. Condolences may be expressed at ajcunninghamfh.com.