Ruth A. (Woods) Mccheyne

-Ruth A. McCheyne, age 84, passed away, surrounded by her family on Friday, June 14th, 2024, at Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, FL, after a brief illness. The family will receive friends for a celebration of life from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Ovid American Legion, 2083 W Seneca Street, Ovid, NY 14521.

She was born in Romulus, NY on November 1, 1939, a daughter of the late Arthur K. and Pauline M. (Maynard) Woods. She graduated from Ovid Central School in 1957 and began working at Willard Psychiatric Center as a Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide, retiring in 1995.

Ruth had a passion for gardening, crafting, crocheting, and cooking, filling her home with handmade treasures and delicious meals – she was famous for her macaroni salad. Her playful spirit and love for goofing around brought joy and laughter to everyone around her. Ruth and Stanley cherished the home they built together in New York and their winter retreat in Spring Hill, Florida, where they created many wonderful memories over their 40 years together. In 2014, Ruth made Florida her full-time residence, embracing the warm weather.

Ruth had a big heart and was renowned for her loving and generous nature, always ready to lend a helping hand or offer a kind word. Her creative talents and warm, fun-loving spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Ruth leaves behind three daughters: Karen (Bob) Fairclough of Michigantown, Ind., Lisa (John) Jelliff of Odessa, NY, and Megan (Pat) Reel of Russiaville, Ind.; two stepsons, Steven (Joanne) McCheyne of Geneva, and Stanley McCheyne Jr.; two stepdaughters, Cindy (Ralph) Sibley of Lodi, NY, and Brenda (Ken Hohwald) Register of Ovid, NY; eight grandchildren, Garrett (Brittini) Fairclough, Braxton Fairclough, Hunter Karius, Kelly Karius, Harlee Reel, Jordan (Jenelle) McCheyne, Melisande (Matthew) Ploutz, and Paul Register; five great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons; her sister, Roberta Xavier of Spring Hill, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Agnes (Lou) Brinkerhoff of Wakarusa, Ind., and Jean Simmons of Lodi, NY; and her loyal companion, her cat, Toby. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, the love of her life and soulmate, the late Stanley O. McCheyne Sr. and by her sister-in-law, Emily “Fib” Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Ruth's memory with an act of kindness.