Ruth Rossi Clayman, formerly of Henderson, Nevada and Orion, Illinois, died on Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline, Illinois. She was a breast cancer survivor of 20 years!
Ruth was born in Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois, on November 3, 1917 to William and Ida Murphy Humphrey. She was the youngest daughter of their nine children.
"Ruthie", as her family and friends knew her, attended grade school in Port Byron and Rapid City, Illinois. After completing the eighth grade, she worked for several years as a housekeeper for local families in the area. Ruth met and later married Pat Rossi, on February 14, 1936 in Moline, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 1961. On October 30,1972, she married Bill Clayman in East Moline, Illinois. He also preceded her in death in 1994.
During her marriage to Pat Rossi, in addition to raising a family of three children she became a homemaker, enjoyed gardening, and ballroom dancing! Ruth was known as an excellent cook and created her "world famous potato salad", which was an item in several restaurants that she and Pat owned and operated. Family was very important to Ruth. The weekly get-to-gethers gradually grew into a Humphrey Family Reunion, that she faithfully attended, including this past year!
In her retirement Ruth enjoyed her children, and traveling with her older sister, Gladys. Reading and working crossword puzzles were a part of her daily routine, as was watching Western movies on TV. Living in Nevada also gave Ruth an opportunity to become an excellent video poker player at her neighborhood casinos.
Ruth is survived by her children and their spouses, David and Donna Rossi, Orion, Illinois; Diane and Lamont Peterson, Henderson, Nevada; and Dick and Nancy Rossi, Orion, Illinois, 8 Grandchildren, 19 Great-Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, and a brother, Harry Humphrey, Cambridge, Illinois.
Ruth's parents, two sisters and five brothers preceded her in death.
Ruth will be buried along side her husband, Pat, at gravesite services for family and friends, Western Township Cemetery, Orion, Illinois on a later date. Memorials in Ruth's name may be made to the Hope Creek Care Center, 4343 Kennedy Drive, East Moline, Illinois, 61244.
Service Details
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011, 1:30pm, Western Township Cemetery