RUTH STRATTON
TYNER – Stratton, Ruth Carolyn Putman, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tyner, NY on Monday, January 26, 2015.
She was predeceased by her former husband William Stratton, her son Charles Stratton, and her parents Minnie and Charles Putman. Ruth is survived by her significant other Raymond Wheeler and children Billie Jean Hendrickson (Adrian Lungu), Stella and Stephen Ohl, Albert and Ewa Stratton and her youngest daughter Sarah Vanessa Stratton; 14 grandchildren Clarissa D’Ambra; Charlotte and Carolyn Hendrickson; William, Eric and Zachary Stratton; Matthew, Derek, Katie and Brandon Stratton; Jessica Matucheski; William, Brian and Timothy Ohl; 5 great-grandchildren Connor, Camden, Lillian, Parker Stratton and Harper Ohl.
Ruth absolutely adored her grandchildren and was proud of each and every one of them. Nana Ruth took her grandchildren on many wonderful trips including annual trips to Cumberland Island, Georgia.
Ruth was born in NYC and attended one year at John Adams HS in NYC before moving upstate. At the age of 13 her parents moved to South Plymouth, NY to live on a dairy farm. She graduated in June of 1951 from Norwich High School and married William Stratton. She went back to school and earned her associates degree from Broome Community College, continued her education at Harpur College where she received a BA in English and then received her Master’s degree in literature from Binghamton University. She taught at Broome Community College as a college professor of English and Literature for her entire career and was instrumental in creating and teaching courses at the Broome County Jail. Her students and her colleagues loved her energy and knowledge in the classroom and she was a respected member of the BCC faculty.
Ruth became a professional storyteller and travelled all over the country telling stories at many of the National Story telling festivals. She was also a world class traveler having traveled to the USSR, Alaska, Japan, Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands and Europe. She was especially pleased when after she retired, her students would come up to her and tell her that they really enjoyed her classes at BCC and helped to make a difference in their lives.
She was active in various writing groups throughout her life and read the NY Times and the Wall Street Journal on a daily basis. Reading was her passion. She was an active member of Al-Anon for over 37 years. Ruth loved being a member of the YMCA in Norwich. The family will receive friends and family at the United Church of Oxford 25 Main Street, Oxford on Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. until noon. At noon there will be a memorial service.
There will be a graveside service at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich following the church service. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Charles Stratton Memorial Scholarship Fund, NBT Bank, 52 South Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, NY. Friends and family may share their memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.