Ruth Strock

Ruth Mary Strock (nee Spoor), aged 82, passed away Sunday May 1, 2011 after an extended illness. Ruth was born in Mannsville, NY on December 7, 1928 into a family with a proud U.S. heritage, including several ancestors from the Mayflower, a few Revolutionary War heroes, and a great grandfather who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor at Gettysburg. Ruth herself was quite accomplished, graduating from high school in Bronxville, NY and putting herself through college at Syracuse University, in NY where she met her husband of nearly 59 years, Henry Strock. Prior to marriage, Ruth worked at the YWCA in the Bronx. Once married, raising a family became her focus and she balanced the needs of five children and a rising executive while occasionally waiting tables at a pizza parlor, and on-going church volunteering. As her children grew, and the family moved to France, Ruth became the President of the Parent Faculty Association (PFA) of the American School of Paris. Upon returning to the United States, Ruth obtained her education certificate from Keane College in NJ and taught fourth grade in Garwood, NJ. She later worked at the Wesley Hall Nursery School in Westfield, NJ and eventually became its Executive Director. After moving to New York City in the late 1970s, she was involved in producing cable television shows for HBO, including "Moonlight Serenade: A tribute to Glenn Miller ". Finally, Ruth opened a gift shop called "The Calico Deer " in Pocono Pines, PA and ran that for several years. Retirement did not mean inactivity for Ruth. Though widely traveled, she managed time to volunteer at the 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Bowery Mission in New York City. She also became the President of the Board of Govenors of the Lake Naomi Country Club, in Pocono Pines, PA. Upon her final move to Wesley Commons in Greenwood, SC, she became President of the Resident Council of Wesley Commons. Always a music lover, Ruth played piano proficiently, and joined every church choir she could. Through that, she fostered a love of music and the arts in her children. She is survived by her husband, Henry Strock; brother, Harry G. Spoor (Kathryn); Son, H. Paul Strock (Judi) and his children: Abby Strock and Brett Strock (fiance Emily Hotaling); Daughter, Dr. Sheila A. Strock (Keith Minnich) and her children, Paul David Minnich, Anne Minnich, and Sarah Minnich and grandchild, Fiona Minnich; Daughter, Sharon R. Strock (Jay Shestak) and her children, Eric Windzigl (Harmony Prietzch), Bryan Windzigl, Carole Moody-Wallace and grandchildren, Madison Windzigl, Jade Prietzsch-Estremeia, and Robbie Prietzch, Tai Windzigl, Cole Moody, Chelsie Moody, Tanner Wallace; Daughter, Sara J. Strock; Son, Michael H. Strock (Connie) and his children, Kalle Thompson (Jason), Megan Naylor (James) and grandchildren, Lillian Thompson, Rebecca Gilchrist, Jacob Naylor and Isaac Naylor. '

Ruth Strock

December 17, 1969 - May 1, 2011

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