Ruth O. McGinn

Ruth O. McGinn (Carlson) of N. Venice, FL, formerly of Worcester, an exceptional woman, dedicated wife, mother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025 at her beloved home after a five- year demonstration of endurance and strength coping with dementia. Her loving husband Bob was by her side. Born in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of Charles and Olga Carlson. She leaves her devoted husband Bob, children Charles of Worcester, and Rob (Joy) estranged, of Lakewood Ranch, FL., brothers in law Peter (Karen) of Spencer, MA, Gregory (Sherry) of N. Platte, NE, and Joseph of Worcester, MA. Nieces Meghan of Spencer and Courtney (Tim) McCarthy of Brandford, CT. and grand- nephew Landon and grand- niece Kylie Maeve of Brandford. In addition, she leaves many cousins, especially the Budzinskis, as well as many friends and colleagues especially the Degons, Bohlins, and Sue Caissie. Bob and Ruth had just celebrated their 51st anniversary in November, 2024.

To Ruth, Catholicity was integral to her life. She strived to follow in the path of Jesus and spread grace in the world. She attended Blessed Sacrament grammar school and Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, MA, and Worcester State College. She later became a speech therapist for the Worcester Public Schools. Bob and Ruth were married at Assumption Chapel in Worcester and since then she became more involved in the works of the church. She began for the Assumptionist Community in publishing Rooftops. The classroom later beckoned, and she attained a position as 4th grade teacher at St. Stephen’s School in Worcester. After a few years, she was appointed principal, a position she thoroughly enjoyed. Later in her career she earned a second master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry at Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA and not long after was appointed campus minister at Worcester State College. In addition to these achievements, she became a noted associate professor of Public Speaking at several local colleges.

Ruth had many friends both professional and social. She loved to cook and her table settings and dinners were memorable. She had won a contest at Sharfman’s, a jewelry store, for table setting as a teenager. Family and friends were important, and she loved to make her home warm and welcoming. She had an eye for thoughtful design and our home became a beautiful refection of the lovely qualities she embodied. Ruth had a gift for flower arranging and could easily have worked for a florist. Many hours were spent at Tower Hill Botanical Gardens for a relaxing lunch or walk on the grounds.

Ruth loved travel and found special places like Sausalito where she could watch San Francisco at night with a glass of Champagne. Sedona, AZ was magical and she would spend hours sitting and absorbing the heat from the Red Rocks. We went to Tanglewood on our third date and returned every year for the next forty. But Sanibel, FL was her favorite. Every vacation for twenty years would find her on the beach collecting shells. She amassed a huge collection.

The arts were integral to her happiness and contentment. Music in all genres captivated her. Pop, Jazz, Classical, Folk concerts would find her there. The stage was just as important. Whether it was local theater or a trip to Broadway, she relished every minute of it. Ruth was a fun-loving person with a great sense of humor. She was kind, loyal, compassionate and generous. She genuinely loved people regardless of their station in life and treated everyone with equal respect. She was a natural leader and would often be sought out for her opinion. Her one regret was not being available for the Cold Storage fire, where six firefighters perished. It occurred on her birthday while we were in California. Fr. Scanlon, Fire Dept Chaplain, opened her school, St. Stephen’s, for firefighters and rescue personnel to rest. She arrived the day after.

Throughout her life she spread acceptance, humor, and respect to others. Whether it was a scared child or an angry parent, she coped well and provided support. And always had the right answer. Her close friend, Betty Fyrberg, sent her this poem from Amanda Bradley shortly before Betty passed from cancer: It sums up Ruth’s life:   

Some people have a gift for doing thoughtful deeds, 

for offering encouragement that someone really needs,

for knowing when to be there with a helping hand to lend…

Some people have the gift of knowing how to be a friend.

The family expresses its grateful thanks to her caregivers Larraine del George and Linda Sincali, CNA. They were essential to Ruth’s health and Bob’s well- being during this difficult time.

A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, June 19, at 10:00 AM in Epiphany Cathedral 310 Sarasota St., Venice, FL 34285.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Adult Day Services c/o Senior Friendship Center, 2350 Scenic Dr., Venice, Fl 34293.

je t'aime plus qu'hier moins que demain