Ruth H. Shirt-Porter, 86, of State College, died Sunday, August 29, 2010, at Geisinger Select Specialty Hospital in Danville.
She was born June 16, 1924 in Worcester, MA; a daughter of the late Reverend Stanley Creswick Sorby Shirt and Mabel Padley Shirt.
Ruth graduated from Westfield High School, Westfield, MA in 1942. In 1946 she graduated from Framingham Normal School, now known as Framingham State College, with a degree in Home Economics and a minor in Nutrition. Always interested in learning, she went on to complete dietetic training courses at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City.
During summers while in college, Ruth worked in the kitchen at Noble Hospital in Westfield, and at Springfield Municipal Hospital in Springfield MA. Ruth did Extension work in Hampden County, MA. In 1947-1948 was Home Economics Director of the Girls League in Pittsfield, MA, which was a member of the National Girls Club of America, where she was involved in planning programs for girls 3-18, teaching knitting and sewing, having supper clubs for jr. high school girls, and chaperoned high school dances. In 1948-1950 Ruth worked at the Registrar's Office at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. In 1985 after returning to State College, Ruth became involved in health care as an advocate for the elderly and physically challenged. In 1989, she was appointed to serve as a lay person on then Congressman Clinger's Health Care Advisory Board. Ruth has also been involved in volunteer consulting work with Senior Nursing Students at Penn State University. In 1987 Ruth published "IMPRESSIONS OF AN IMMIGRANT", and a pamphlet "TIPS FOR WIDOWED AND DIVORCED WOMEN" in 1988. In 2000 Ruth published a copyrighted pamphlet "PEOPLES' APPROACH TO MEDICINE - "OUTSMARTING THE ODDS", then in July 2002 published SHIRT TALES, her life story. In October of 2005, published SHIRT -TALES VOLUME II, Anthology for the Living-God and Good Friends Help, Anecdotes Necessary for 21st Century Survival.
Ruth is a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in State College, and a former member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in State College. She was a member of the State College Women's Club, the Nittany Valley Penn Writers Group, AARP, and of Centre County Family and Consumer Sciences.
Mrs. Shirt-Porter was awarded a citation from Forward Movement Publications in Cincinnati, OH, for her writing of "Impressions of an Immigrant."
Surviving Ruth are two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Porter of Lake Jackson, TX and Barbara Jo Porter Fratila and her husband, Nicolae Fratila of Brazoria, TX; one grandson, Scott Charles Martin and his wife, Rebecca Bridges Martin, Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, Louisiana.
At her request there will be no public visitation. A memorial service will be conducted at 10:00 a. m. Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster St., State College, PA; with the Reverend Lisa Schoonmaker officiating. A committal service and ennichment will be held at Springfield Cemetery, 171 Maple St. Springfield, MA; at 1:30 p. m. Wednesday, September 8, 2010, with the Reverend Nancy Webb Stroud officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to The American Heart Association 501 Howard Ave., Altoona, PA 16801; or to the American Cancer Society, 123 S. Sparks St., State College, PA 16801.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.