Ruth Lenahan

Southbury- Ruth (Sykes) Lenahan, age 102, passed away peacefully at Danbury Hospital on Wednesday July 26, 2023.  She was the loving wife of the late Joseph Lenahan Sr. whom she was married to for over 80 years.

Ruth was born on January 31, 1921 in Torrington during a snowstorm. Her mother and father, the late Robert and Alice (Bray) Sykes had to take a train to get to the hospital. Ruth was raised in Shelton and educated in local schools. She worked for most of her life at Waterman and was employed there through the transition into Waterman Bic. She worked with the inventor of the ball point pen! Living over a century, the joke was often “what did you do before sliced bread?”

Ruth and Joseph volunteered at the Southbury Training School Thrift Shop for over 25 years, until they were 98 years old.  They loved the Thrift Shop days when they would get to visit with special friends at Dunkin Donuts after their work.  They traveled the United States together and enjoyed spending winter months in Daytona Beach where he combed the beaches with his metal detector while she made sure to greet any beachgoer she met.  They enjoyed boating on the lake and taught much of their family how to water ski behind their boat.  They loved going to Old Forge, N.Y. where they went snowmobiling and made many friends and memories.  They lived life to the fullest and enjoyed their time with their family most of all.

In addition to her beloved husband, Joseph, Ruth was predeceased by her siblings and her son Joseph Lenahan Jr. Ruth leaves behind her son, John Lenahan (Sharon) of Southbury and her daughter-in-law Sandra Lenahan (Joseph Jr) of Oxford.  She also leaves to cherish, six grandchildren, Kimberly Schmitz (Marty) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Kurt Lenahan (Laurie) of Roxbury, Lisa Randall (Jimmy) of Moultonborough, N.H., Tracey Lenahan (Jim) of Oxford, Kelly Lewis (James) of Woodbury, and Joseph Lenahan III (Linda) of Oxford.  She leaves eight great-grandchildren, Justin, Joshua, Shellie, Owen, Brock, Evelyn, Liam and Macklin, three great-great-grandchildren, Samuel, Leah, and Joyanna, and her nieces, Sharon, Deborah and Alice.

A private memorial service to celebrate her life was held by her family. Memorial contributions can be made in Ruth's name to the Southbury Training School Thrift Shop or to a charity of your choice. To send an online condolence, visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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