Ruth N. McGown, 96, of Lenox died peacefully Friday, July 27, 2018, at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington.
Ruth was born Nov. 27, 1921, in Freeburg, Illinois, the daughter of Cornelius and Teresa (Vaulkamp) Nold. Ruth worked for several years as a bookkeeper before becoming a full-time mother. In 1946 she worked at an ad agency in St. Louis where she was the model for the Coca-Cola “Yes” girl. She married Donald R. McGown Sept. 3, 1946, and they lived in West Hartford, Connecticut, for many years. They loved traveling, going cross-country twice while camping with the kids and, after Don retired, taking multiple cruises around the world. She was a golf widow until her 40s and then became a passionate golfer, spending many enjoyable hours on the links at the Golf Club of Avon. Ruth also enjoyed knitting, needlepoint and quilting. Ruth and Don retired to Skidaway Island outside of Savannah, Georgia, for 18 years so they could play golf year-round. When golf became too physically challenging, they moved back to the Northeast to be closer to their grandchildren and settled in Lenox at Devonshire Estates, where Ruth often played bridge and Mexican Train with other residents.
Ruth is survived by son Michael D. McGown and wife Karen of East Norwalk Connecticut; daughter Sharon Palma and husband Oliver “Lee” of Sheffield; and two grandchildren, Justin and Kali McGown. In addition to her husband who predeceased her June 29, 2004, Ruth was also predeceased by a son, Jeffrey, and two brothers, Norman and Sam Nold.
In keeping with Ruth’s wishes there are no services. BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOMEis entrusted with arrangements. The family requests that any donations be made to Fairview Hospital, where her care during her very brief stay was the best it could possibly be, in care of BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington MA 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
