Obituary of Ruth Greeley

Ruth Ann Sharkey Greeley, 84, of Brookline Village, State College, formerly of Williamsport and Lowell, Mass., died November 24, 2010 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. She was preceded in death in September 2009 by her beloved husband, Richard (Dick) Greeley, to whom she was married for 54 years. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, October 24, 1926, Ruth was the daughter of Helen and Charles Sharkey. Ruth is survived by her two daughters, Ann Greeley (husband, Lee Erwin) and Mary Greeley Beahm (husband, Scott Beahm) and four grandchildren, Devin Beahm, Trevor Beahm, Megan Greeley-Erwin, and Christina Greeley-Erwin, all of State College. In addition, she is survived by three siblings, Joseph Sharkey (wife, Jane) of Kennebunk, Maine, Gladys Sharkey O.S.F. of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Marie Sharkey of Berlin, N.Y. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, one sister, and three brothers. Ruth was a wonderful and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and volunteer. She was a warm and supportive mother, volunteering at school activities and sacrificing her time and energy for every activity in which her children and grandchildren were involved. Ruth worked at L.L.Stearns, Mutual of New York, and Advanced Planning Consultants in Williamsport before retiring. Prior to moving to State College in 2007, she was active within the Williamsport community including her involvement in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and her work at St. Anthony's soup kitchen. She was a wonderful singer and often joined her husband by singing while he played the trumpet at Kings' and the Antler's Country Club. She also enjoyed playing bridge with several women's groups and attending Penn State football games. Ruth was an active member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Williamsport for 44 years before joining Our Lady of Victory Church in State College. A Mass honoring Ruth's life will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church on November 27, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Flowers will be provided by the family. Contributions may be made in Ruth's memory to Our Lady of Victory Church, Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, www.michaeljfox.org or Church Street Station, Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780.