NORWICH – Ruth Ives, 83, of Norwich, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 13, 2010 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
She was born on March 27, 1926 in Paterson, N.J., a daughter of the late Nicholas and Edna (Schofield) Sylstra. On July 3, 1949 she married Seward Ives, who passed away on Aug. 10, 1996.
She is survived by her children, Robert N. and Vicki Ives, Anthony W. Ives, and Mary Kathleen Ives; her brother and sister in law, Anthony and Carol Sylstra; her sisters and brothers in law, Mary Ann (Sue) and James DeKay, Barbara and John Mullaney, her sister in law Frances (Peg) Sylstra; her grandchildren, Crystal and Jason Glenn, Amanda Leigh Hinzey, Nathaniel and Lindsay Ives, Matthew Ives, and Megan Ives; and her great grandchildren, Megan Glenn and Serena Leigh Henry. She was predeceased by her brothers, Nicholas Sylstra, Jr. and Richard Sylstra and her son Gary L. Ives.
She was a graduate of Guilford High School, SUNY Morrisville and Ithaca College. She was a substitute teacher and had worked at the Hubert Brown Law Office for Richard Q. Devine. She was a former member of the Guilford Fire Department Auxiliary and the Smyrna Community Band. She had also been a leader for 4-H. She enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was an avid bird watcher and was known for keeping the squirrels away from her birdfeeders.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, today from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels.