Ruth Smith

Ruth Shrader Smith, 101, a lifelong resident of South Greensburg, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Westmoreland Manor. Born July 6, 1921, she was the daughter of George and Romayne Shrader. She was a homemaker but also worked at the Troutman’s Department Store in Greensburg for years in the accounting department. She was a lifelong member of the South Greensburg United Methodist Church which her father helped to found and she stayed active in the church until the ill health of her husband forced her to curtail her activities. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and volunteered for the Girl Scouts.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by the love of her life Edgar (Jazz) to whom she was married for 69 years and who she cared for devotedly during his declining health. She was also preceded in death by her dear sister, Betty McIlvaine and her husband, William (Apple) as well as her brother, Jack Shrader. Surviving are her son, Dr. Jack Smith and his wife, Georgia M. Smith, of Greensburg; a daughter, Dr. Jill Smith Forster and her husband, Dr. Scott Forster of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Cameron Smith Foos and husband, David Foos of Fort Myers, Florida, Ben Forster of Alameda, Calif. and  Matthew Forster and wife, Amanda of Santa Clara, Calif.; two great grandchildren, Remy and Davis Foos; numerous nieces and nephews , but especially nieces,  Wendy McIlvaine and Becky Nowicki who visited and brought smiles to her face.

A child of the Great Depression and a bride during World War II, Ruth was from a generation who persevered with grit, determination and hard work and instilled those virtues in her children to be passed along to future generations. She and her late husband, Jazz were so proud of both children becoming physicians and their assistance in helping their children to achieve, is their legacy. Besides spending time with family, Ruth lovingly cared for her home, travelled, and visited numerous places in the US and abroad, liked weekly trips to the hairdresser and loved spending winters with her husband, Jazz in Myrtle Beach. Her family would like to extend special thanks to a long-time caregiver, Brenda Flanigan and most importantly to the caring staff at Westmoreland Manor on A1.

Family and Friends will be received on Monday, November 7th from 5 to 7pm at the KEPPLE-GRAFT FUNERAL HOME 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg. Services will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday, November 8th at 10:30am. Interment will follow at Hillview Cemetery, Greensburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westmoreland Manor Recreation Fund, 2480 South Grande Blvd. Greensburg, PA 15601 or South Greensburg United Methodist Church, 411 Sheridan Ave. Greensburg, PA 15601.