Ruth Leona Kearney, age 94, of Kane, PA passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 with family by her side.

Ruth was born on January 13, 1929 in Bradford, PA to Benjamin Wilcox and Neva Clark Wilcox.  She married William E. Kearney of Bradford in February 1949, who preceded Ruth in death in 2008 after 59 years of marriage.  

Ruth and Bill moved their family to Kane in 1954 where they made their home on South Edgar Street, raised ten children, and where Ruth continued to reside up until her death.

Ruth is survived by eight of her ten children:  David (Ann) Kearney, Daniel (Becky) Kearney, Kathy Haight, Anne (Blaise) Wick, John (Tammy) Kearney, Richard (Barbara) Kearney, Marie (Mitch) Malecky, Steve (Lori Hayes) Kearney, and also by her daughter-in-law, Cheri Kearney.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Kearney Ullo; her son, William (Bill) Kearney; her son-in-law, Thomas Haight; all four of her siblings, Donald Wilcox, Martha Kingen, Marian Kohler, and Virginia Lucas; two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Ruth loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was the proud “Grammie” or “GiGi” to 21 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great, great-grandchild, who survive her and will cherish her memory forever.  She loved going to many of their activities and always was included to join in their fun.

Ruth was an avid card player, and in her younger years was part of a neighborhood card club. She loved to read and knit, and gifted many people over the years with one of her hand-knitted kitchen towels.

Ruth was like a second mother to many of the Southside neighborhood children. She was affectionately nicknamed “Radar Ruth” because of her uncanny ability to always know what her kids had been up to before they got home from school or from playing in the neighborhood.  Her back-porch dinner bell rang out every night reminding all the kids that it was time to go home for dinner.

Ruth worked as a secretary in Bradford before her marriage and their move to Kane.  In addition to being an excellent homemaker, she also was the secretary for the Kane Area Recreation and Cultural Commission at one time and was employed at the Kane Area Senior High School in the Guidance Office during the early 1980’s.

Ruth was a member of St. Callistus Church and a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

The family would like to thank the staff of UPMC Kane Hospital for the compassionate care of their Mother while she was a patient there recently.

Friends are invited to attend visitations which will take place Friday (Sept. 15) from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Cummings Funeral Home and also Saturday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Gathering Space at St. Callistus Catholic Church.  A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. William O’Brien as celebrant.

Memorial donations may be made to the Kane Lions Club at P. O. Box 507, Kane, PA; the Kane Memorial Library;  the Catholic Daughters of America of St. Callistus Church; or to a charity of your choice in memory of Ruth.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com.