Ruth A. (Crawford) Donnelly

Ruth Ann (Crawford) Donnelly passed away on November 22, 2022 at 11:10 p.m. She was born on January 4, 1922 to Charles and Linnie (Barton) Crawford in Harrison Township, Napoleon, Ohio.

Ruth Ann attended a one room country school and later City of Napoleon Public Schools, graduating from Napoleon High School in 1939. She received additional education from Felt and Tarrant business school in Toledo, Ohio. She remained living & working in Toledo. During this period she met her future husband Jerry Donnelly who was also a native of Napoleon. They were married in 1943. In the 1970's the couple and their children relocated to Napoleon, when Jerry was appointed Henry County Welfare Director. At this time Ruth became active in the community and St. Augustine Catholic Church. She became involved with senior citizens, and became Nutrition Site Manager for the Henry County Senior Center and later became the Executive Director. During this period Ruth contributed significantly to the development of the Senior Center, honored by the area Office on Aging for outstanding contributions to older Americans and also recognition for a lifetime of distinguished service in NW Ohio and was enrolled in the Hall of Honor for her contributions to older Americans. She retired from the Henry County Senior Center in 1986.

In her early years if marriage she was employed as Secretary for the former Divine Word Summer Camp for boys and the superintendent of Catholic School Office.

After retirement she maintained her interest in charitable groups volunteering for Information for the elderly, Mercy Hospital and Medical College Hospitals, also serving on the Aging Office Advisory Council and later a board member of the NW Ohio office on aging. At the age of 83 she became active with the Toledo Retired Senior Patrol.

She was the matriarch of the Crawford Clan and her love, dedication and unselfish giving to her family will be everlasting. She enjoyed the company of her children and 10 nieces and nephews, joining them on many occasions. In addition to her parents Ruth Ann was preceded in death by here husband, Gerald Jr. and her brothers, James, Gale, Ray, Byron and Bernard Crawford.

She is survived by sons, Gerald III (Barbara) of St Clair Shores MI, Timothy of Whittier California and daughter, Moira (Ronald) Kempf of Toledo Ohio; three grand daughters, Jenna Franklin, Caitlin and Abigail Donnelly-Cochiaosue (Brittany) and great-grandson, Michael (Terra) Franklin; ten nieces and nephews and their siblings along with many friends.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 1, 2022 in Little Flower Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m., where the family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. that morning. Interment will follow at St. Augustine Catholic Church Cemetery in Napoleon, Ohio.

Arrangements by the Thos. I. Wisniewski Funeral Home (419)531.4424.

www.wisniewskifuneral.net

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