Ruth Jenkins, 94, formerly of Rifton, entered into eternal rest June 5, 2024. Ruth was born Aug. 16, 1929 in Queens to Margaret (Schwartz) Simmons and Frederick Simmons. She could not wait to move to the country and moved to Gardiner as a young woman where she met and married Earl Jenkins in 1952. They enjoyed 58 years of marriage.
Most of Ruth’s career was at Anna Devine School as the office manager. She was an active member of the PTO. She faithfully served the Rifton United Methodist Church where she was Sunday School superintendent, and she ran the Vacation Bible School yearly which was attended by over 50 neighborhood children. Occasionally, she led worship, and she enjoyed the monthly Church Ladies Aide meetings. When her children became 4-H members she became a club leader and continued to teach sewing and cooking long after her children were grown. Ruth was an excellent cook preparing special meals for her family and canning or freezing produce from Earl’s large garden. She loved animals and there was always at least one cat around. Playing games and cards was one of the things she really enjoyed with family and friends. After retirement she began oil painting with her sister Rosemary and many family homes are adorned with her paintings. She loved to write, and her dream was realized when she completed and published three novels.
She is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Tom) Newman of Milton and Claudia (Gary Sergio) Jenkins of Unadilla. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael (Caryn) Jenkins of Catskill, Sarah (Rion) Yonnetti of Saugerties, Matthew (Katy) Jenkins of Rifton, and Eagle (Cassandra) Faulkner of Ulster Park; five great-grandchildren: Jacob Jenkins of Rifton, Samuel Jenkins of Rifton, Giuliana Yonnetti of Saugerties, Lily Yonnetti of Saugerties, and Luke Yonnetti of Saugerties.
She is predeceased by her husband Earl Jenkins as well as an infant, Claude Jenkins. She is predeceased by her five siblings Rose Mary Gardner, Margaret McCabe, Grace Simmons, Charles Simmons, and Frank Lenfesty.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Unadilla Center United Methodist Church, 1203 Butternut Road, Unadilla, NY 13849 or Rifton Fire Department, 24 Maple Street, Rifton, NY 12471.
Calling hours are Friday, June 14 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home, 162 S. Putt Corners Road, New Paltz. A celebration of life followed by internment will take place Saturday, June 15 at 11.
A celebration of life will also take place Saturday, June 22 at 1 p.m. at Unadilla Center United Methodist Church, 1203 Butternut Road, Unadilla.
