It is with heavy hearts that the members of the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department announce the passing of a longtime advocate for the Potsdam Fire Department, Ruth F. Garner.

Ruth was a generous leader for the Potsdam Community for over five decades and continued to lead the Potsdam Community up until her time of passing. Ruth was always willing and ready to help the Potsdam Fire Department with any problems that should arise and had no problem being the voice for such a dedicated group of individuals that are always there for our community.

Ruth set the standards high for women within our community and was a pioneer for women in leadership roles within our community as the first woman to be elected to the Village of Potsdam Board of Trustees in 1973, and six years later was elected as the first woman Mayor, a role she has held twice, for a total of sixteen years. As of this year, the Potsdam Fire Department elected its first female chief in the fire department’s history, something that Ruth made sure to let the community know she was proud of.

The members of the Potsdam Fire Department would like to extend our condolences to the Garner family and are honored to be asked to be a part of Ruth’s celebration of life.

Ruth F. Garner died peacefully, at her home, surrounded by her family, on October 18, 2017, in Potsdam at the age of 101. Ruth is survived by her children, Susan Mcnulty (Thomas), Lemont, IL; Marshall Garner (Tammy), Potsdam; Margaret Haggard (David), Potsdam; Joan Garner, Potsdam; her grandchildren Thomas Mcnulty (Karen), Margaret Lillie (Thomas), John Seaman, Megan Seaman, Kirsten Garner, Mary Garner, Jasmine Garner, Emily Garner, Jeanne Murray, Elizabeth Harding (Trevor), Kristine Martinez (James), Jonathan Haggard (Lynann), Stephanie Brown (Michael), Kevin Seaman (Derek); and twelve great-grandchildren. Ruth is preceded in death by her husband George A. Garner; her children John Patrick Garner, M.D. and Mary Catherine Garner.

Ruth was born on November 18, 1915, in Massena Springs, New York to Dennis D. Finnegan and Isabelle J. Dame. Ruth was the fourth of seven children. She and her brother, James, were the only two that lived to adulthood. James died in a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines during WWII. Her father worked for the railroad, so they moved around and lived for a time in Montreal when she was little and eventually settled in Norwood, NY. Ruth graduated from Norwood High School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1933. She went on to attend nursing school run by the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Plattsburgh, NY. She later returned to Norwood. She married George A. Garner on October 2, 1939, at St. Mary’s Church, Potsdam, NY, where her grandparents were married in 1859. Along with her husband George, they established Garner Funeral Home in the fall of 1945 which they ran for over 40 years until they sold it to Dean Talcott in 1980. Additionally, they ran a beauty salon until 1954.

Over 15 years, Ruth and George welcomed six children into the world. Ruth’s children remember Ruth as a driven, incredibly loving and patient mother who encouraged them to pursue the most in life. She often reminded them “Leave things a little bit better than you found them,”something she exemplified throughout her life as an accomplished civic leader and selfless public servant.

Ruth was a leader throughout the community for over five decades and up until her death. Known for her tenacious, rambunctious spirit, Ruth walked from Potsdam to Canton to raise awareness during the civil rights and anti-war movement in the late 1960’s. A long-time advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, she helped to bring the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the North Country and educate young people around the country about the disease.
Ruth was a pioneer for women in leadership as the first woman to be elected to the Village of Potsdam Board of Trustees in 1973, and six years later was elected as the first woman Mayor, a role she has held twice, for a total of sixteen years. After holding the position of Mayor, she again stepped into the role of Trustee in 2005 a role she held until her death at the age of 101, making her one of the oldest elected officials to ever serve in New York, if not the United States.

Ruth had a tremendous impact over her lifetime and was responsible for bringing millions of dollars in grants to Potsdam and the North Country, helping to establish the Potsdam Economic Development Zone. Throughout her tenure, she fought tirelessly to make Potsdam a great place to live and raise a family. She dedicated her life to this community. Her efforts did not go unnoticed as she received dozens of awards over her lifetime.
In 2003, CBS included Ruth in a “60 Minutes” story about senior citizens who keep working well past the retirement age. Ruth also had the opportunity to meet many politicians over the course of her career that include: President Bill Clinton, Former NYS Senator and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Former Governor of NY Mario Cuomo, Former Governor of NY George Pataki, and Former Senator Jacob Javits. Additionally, Ruth was the recipient of the following awards: Silas Wright Award for dedicated service to the people of the North Country and Potsdam, SUNY Potsdam Distinguished Service Award, New York State Outstanding Older Worker Award, New York State Prime Time Award, The Thousand Island Girl Scout 2013 Women of Distinction Award, The New York Senate “Women of Distinction” award, Honorary Degree from St. Lawrence University, New York Conference of Mayors Civic Achievement Award, Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award and in 2015 received the highest award given by the New York State Senate, The New York State Senate Liberty Award.

She has also served on the board for the Potsdam Public Library & Museum, Renewal House, St. Lawrence County Historical Society, and was co-chair of the Managing Local Government Conference. She was also an active member and President of many of the following groups: Altar & Rosary Society, Zonta International, Potsdam Hospital Guild, Potsdam Town & Country Club, St. Lawrence County Historical Society, Business and Professional Women, and PTA.

Ruth always emphasized the importance of family and hobbies. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, genealogy, traveling, collecting antiques, collecting hats, teaching at the St. Mary’s school and volunteering with the humane society. Ruth was an avid Boston Terrier and animal- lover having had many over the years, so much so that in 2009 at the age of 93 Ruth got her first tattoo- a shamrock- with her grandson John, to raise hundreds of dollars to support the Potsdam Humane Society.

Ruth will always be remembered as a courageous, empathetic leader who always put others before herself, fighting fiercely for causes she believed in and leading the way for women in leadership. Most importantly, Ruth will always be admired as an extremely loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.

Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Home in Potsdam on Sunday, October 22 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Stephen Rocker on Monday, October 23, 2017, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, Potsdam. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at garnerfh.com