M. Ruth McGolerick
October 4, 1923 — June 4, 2016
M. Ruth (Norris) McGolerick passed away on Saturday June 4th, 2016 at the Vindabona Nursing Center in Braddock Heights, where she had been a resident since June 2013.
Born on October 4th, 1923 in Pleasant Valley (Washington County), she was the daughter of Everett and Lucy (Penner) Norris.
Ruth graduated from Brunswick High School in 1942 and started her working career at Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown as "Rosie the Riveter."
She also worked part time in the cafeteria at Brunswick High School and later volunteered in the library of the Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
Ruth was a member of the Brownsville Church of the Brethren and taught the youth class for many years. She directed the youth plays especially the Christmas and Easter plays.
She was a deacon, treasurer and served on many committees. She also was a member of the Pleasant Valley Senior Citizens, Pleasant Valley Ruritan Auxiliary and the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
She loved the outdoors, especially hiking, camping and picnics. Ruth was an excellent cook, baker and loved to make homemade hard candy. She always played basket bingo at Dargan Fire Hall.
Ruth is survived by her husband John McGolerick, Jr. and daughter Doreen L. Semler, both of Braddock Heights, Maryland; two granddaughters, Donna Faecke and husband David of Chesterfield, Virginia, and Cathy Hood and husband Vance of Hagerstown, Maryland; Five great-grandchildren, Randy Hood and Brooke Hood of Hagerstown, and Mackenzie, Kaylee and Maggie Faecke all of Chesterfield, Virginia. Ruth is also survived by a sister, Theda Deener of Waycross, Georgia and a brother, Fred Norris and wife Patty of Hagerstown. Numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
In addition to her parents, Ruth was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Donald R. Semler; four sisters, Anna Guyer, Genevieve Ingram, Louella Baer and Betty Hepperle; four brothers, Bradley Norris, Quentin Norris, Everett Norris and Ray Thomas Norris.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at the Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Knoxville, Maryland 21758. The Rev. Alan M. Smith and Rev. R. Thomas Fralin will officiate. Burial will follow in the Brownsville Heights cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home in Boonsboro, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Knoxville, Maryland 21758