NORWICH – Ruth A. “Ruthie” Titus, 64, lifelong Norwich resident, passed away Wednesday evening, Dec. 5, 2007 in the Wilson Regional Hospital of Johnson City.
Born in August of 1943, the daughter of Theodore “Zeke” and Irene (Long) Yarrington, Ruthie was a graduate of the Norwich High School. Her first job was as a “soda Jerk” at the Tastee Freeze south of Norwich, while she was still in high school, and during those same years she worked for Arrow Laundry. To many, Ruthie was the soft-spoken voice on the other end of the phone if you called Titus Plumbing and Heating where she worked for many years as secretary and receptionist. Her last opportunity in the working world was volunteering for Terry’s Auto Cleansing in Oxford. Considered “amazing” and “awesome” by her grandchildren, she was a dynamo who was deeply involved in many activities and groups in the Norwich area.
Ruthie married Graydon “’Stub” Titus on Feb. 23, 1963. Their shared love of his original 1957 Chevy convertible involved them in car shows throughout the area and beyond. Together they loved to camp, with Ruthie doing the cookie baking. A talented cook and baker, Ruthie taught cake decorating at Gibson school and herself did many wedding cakes and lots of catering over the years. While raising her own children, Ruthie took care of many kids in her own home, and was a Cub Scout leader for a time. An avid swimmer at both the Kurt Beyer Park and YMCA, Ruthie also belonged to TOPS, several Norwich bowling leagues, O.E.S. #367 of Norwich, and the 9M90 Auxiliary, and was a former member of the Norwich Moose Lodge. Normally quiet and easy-going, Ruthie occasionally would slam her fist on the table and yell a more spirited version of “shoot, gosh darn it” if things went really wrong.
Ruthie is survived by her husband, Stub Titus; her children and their spouses: D. Michael “Mike” and Chauntel Titus, Gidget and Cary McConnell, and Donna I. Murphy and fiancé Terry Manwarren, all of Norwich; and Teresa “Tish” and Ed Swartwout of Windsor; and her brother, David Yarrington and wife Mary of Magnolia, Del. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Brock and Harley Titus, Samantha Wise, Melissa and Joanna McConnell, Scott and Graydon Murphy, Emily Peyton, and Trey Swartout; by nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends who knew and loved her.
Funeral services for Ruthie will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Rex Baker, pastor of the West Windsor Baptist Church, will officiate. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Maydole Hose Company #2, 31 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Northeastern Classic Car Museum, 22 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815.