Obituary of Ruthmary Woodworth

Ruthmary Decker Woodworth of East Jewett died peacefully at home on January 28, 2025, where she had been cared for by her three surviving children. She was 92 when she ended her nine-year battle with metastatic breast cancer.

The eldest of four children, Ruthmary was born March 11, 1932, on Thompson Street in Catskill to Milton G. Decker and Pearl M. (Darringer) Decker. She graduated Voorheesville High School in 1950 and began work as a legal secretary in Albany. Her family had deep roots in East Jewett, and she frequently visited the Mountaintop with her cousin Judy West. That’s where she met and fell in love with Gerry, who became her husband on January 19, 1952.

The couple began their 60 years of married life in New Haven, CT; as their family grew, they were able to move back to the mountains and eventually settled in East Jewett. Ruthmary spent 50 years of her life on Colgate Road, and she was glad to be there, the mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and matriarch of a family that was her joy, her focus, and her concern. Before the start of each year, she would populate a new calendar with birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries of those she loved, and everyone looked forward to getting Gram’s card in the mail. No one will forget her pickles, her dish cloths, her admonitions to fix your plate, or her reminders to be safe.

In addition to caring for her family, Ruthmary worked outside the home, including many years in the HTC cafeteria. She was active in the Mountaintop Golden Ager group, where she enjoyed friendships and fellowship. She attended many a West family reunion and was one of the founding members of the East Jewett Patchwork quilting group. She was truly interested in everything, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Ruthmary was predeceased by her parents and her sisters JeanDouglas and Shirley Dallas; her husband Rodney (Gerry); her son Duane Lewis and her daughter Robin Lee Boomer; her son-in-law Larry Speenburgh; and her granddaughter Hope Speenburgh Oakes. She is survived by her brother Milton (Butch) and his partner Alice of New Orleans; daughter Sandra (Sandy) Speenburgh of Germantown; son Rodney (Irene) of East Jewett, son Gerry (Kathleen) of Cherry Valley; daughter-in-law Lori of Boonville; son-in-law Dan Boomer of Ravena; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; and by cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was a steady presence in all our lives, and she will live on in our hearts.

Calling hours will be held at the Decker Funeral Home on Main Street in Windham, Saturday Feb 1, 11 am–1 pm. Luncheon at the East Jewett Fire Department will follow. She will be interred next to Gerry in the East Jewett Methodist Church ceremony in the spring. Donations to The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd, Albany 12208; the East Jewett Fire Dept, POB 105 East Jewett 12424; the East Jewett Methodist Church, POB 53, East Jewett 12424; or the charity of your choice are appreciated.