Ruth Marie Relyea, 98, passed away Sept. 30, 2024, at her Middletown home. Ruth was born Sept. 19, 1926, in Revere, Massachusetts, raised her family in Canandaigua, New York, and lived in Middletown in her final years.
Ruth was predeceased by her father and mother, John and Irene Leslie; her sisters, Irene and Jeanne; her husband Lloyd Douglas Relyea; and son-in-law Tony Maugiri.
Ruth is survived by her sister Marie; brother John; three children, Carol Maugiri, Wayne (Susan) Relyea, and Rhonda (Marty) Buonanno; eight granddaughters, Kinita (Scott) Haynes, Melissa (Sean) Wright, Rachel (Jeff) Carbone, Nicole Hodge, Heather (Matt) Fisher, Megan (Bobby) Phillips, Jessica Hamernick, and Katherine (Dani) Drayce; 12 great-grandchildren (and counting), Shelby, Spencer, Dawson, Alana, Chase, Colin, Lola, Jackson, Bo, Josie, Ozzy and Evelyn; and her great-great-grandson Jackson.
Ruth will always be remembered for her humor, quick wit, her token phrases like “drunk again, Ruth” anytime she stumbled (even though she barely drank), the best dinner conversations and for always speaking her mind. She showed her love through her devotion to raising her children and then helping to raise many of her granddaughters and even two of her great-grandsons. She will be greatly missed.
“Goodnight, Irene” and “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!”
A memorial service will be held at a future date.
The article originally appeared in the October 10 – 16, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
