Ruth Marie McPhillips

Ruth Marie McPhillips, age 105, died on Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Mapleton Community Home. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 11 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Mapleton.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Teresa Catholic Church or the Mapleton Community Home.

Ruth Marie McPhillips was born on June 13, 1911 to Adam and Rose (Geiger) Gerringer in Eldred, Pa.  Shortly after Ruth's birth, her family moved to Allegany, N.Y.  She graduated from Allegany High School and was confirmed and later married in St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Allegany on June 24, 1940.  Ruth attended Westbrook Commercial Academy in Olean, N.Y. and Industrial Lenders Institute of N.Y.   With jobs scarce during depression years, Ruth felt fortunate to find employment with the movie theatres in Olean, N.Y.  She maintained a fascination with movies and stars throughout her life.  Ruth was offered a position with the Personal Finance Co. in Hornell, N.Y.   It was there that she met her future husband, Patrick.    The couple lived in Olean for 14 years and moved to the Buffalo, N.Y. area in 1959.  They had two daughters Patricia (Dick) Nienow of Mankato and Mary (John) Hall of Deer Creek, WA.  Ruth's husband died unexpectedly in 1974 while visiting in Minnesota. He was buried in Mapleton and Ruth moved to Mapleton In 1979.

Patrick was an International Judge of Barbershop Quartet singing and the couple frequently traveled with other Barbershoppers to concerts and contests across the country and Canada.
Ruth enjoyed bridge and playing her organ.  She was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and the Mapleton Community Home Auxiliary.

Ruth is survived by her daughters and son in laws, grandchildren Tasha Nienow, Sara Nienow (Nathan Snodgrass), Carl Nienow, and great granddaughter, Ada Rose Snodgrass.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Robert Gerringer, and sister, Jessie Gerringer.