- Date Of Birth: June 22, 1919
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2011
- State: Indiana
Ruth M. Kanney, 91, a longtime resident of Rensselaer, passed away at 3:45 pm, Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at the home of her nephew. She was in declining health for two months and more seriously ill for two weeks. Ruth was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 22, 1919. She was the daughter of Joseph A. Kanney and Ella C. (Kammer) Kanney.
Ruth was never married. Ruth’s family moved from Cincinnati to Rensselaer when she was very young. She attended St. Augustine School for grades one through eight. She graduated from Rensselaer High School in the Class of 1937. Following graduation, she was employed for a short time as a secretary at Rensselaer High School, and she also worked for a brief period at the License Branch. Ruth graduated from the Southland Beauty School, which was located in Lafayette, IN, in 1939.
A self-employed beautician, she was the owner and operator of Ruth’s Beauty Shop until her retirement. She was a member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church and the Christian Women’s Sodality. Ruth served as a Eucharistic Care Minister, and for many years assisted at the Rensselaer Care Center on Wednesdays by helping residents get to mass in the chapel or by conducting communion services for Catholic residents. Ruth enjoyed caring for flowers, working in her yard, as well as baking and cooking. She possessed a quick wit, and a wonderful sense of humor, and enjoyed conversing with friends and neighbors. Ruth was deeply devoted to her family.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marcella Kanney and Carmela (Albin) Shank, a brother Arthur Kanney, sister-in-law Mary Kanney, a niece Ruth Ann Shank, and a nephew Joe Shank. She is survived by her nephews, John (Linda) Shank and Pat (Sue) Kanney of Rensselaer, Francis A. Kanney and Michael Kanney, of Indianapolis, and a niece Joella (David) Flowers of Avilla, IN.
