Ruth (Kimball) Kear, daughter of Laurel and William Kimball, passed away peacefully at her home in Hyde Park of natural causes on Friday, September 15, 2017.

As a beloved mother, she leaves behind her son, Henry Duquette, whom she lived with and who took care of her, and daughter, Ruthann (Rohloff) Friedland and her husband Myles of Oakland, California. She also leaves behind 2 loving grandchildren, Heath and Kimberly Friedland also of California; and many nieces and nephews.

Being the youngest of 9 children, she was predeceased by 4 sisters and 4 brothers, one of whom was her twin. Ruth was born in Croton-on-Hudson on November 3, 1919. She attended the Croton schools and graduated from high school in 1939. She then worked at Rand McNally’s Printing Company in Ossining. During WWII, she left to work at North Phillips Defense Plant then Cambridge Instrument Company to support the war effort by putting together crystals and soldering for their field radios, as well as answering phones in a civil defense office in Croton. She went to Squires Business School in Ossining to learn typing, then to work at the Reader’s Digest Corporation in Pleasantville as a key punch operator for 21 years. She belonged to the Reader’s Digest Choristers. They sang for hospitals and nursing homes, and produced a record in RCA studios, NYC. She also worked evenings at SkyView Nursing Home in Croton. After retiring from Reader’s Digest, she worked at the nursing home full-time as a nurse’s aide for 18 years. Retiring from there, she went to California to take care of her new granddaughter. When she came back home, her love of children continued and she took care of many while their parents worked.

She loved to travel, including the east and west coast, Colorado, Hawaii, and many cruises. Ruth loved to “doll” up and wear her jewelry. She attended the East Fishkill Seniors, and many functions at the Hyde Park Church. Ruth was a lifelong member of the Croton Asbury United Methodist Church and more recently attended Hyde Park United Methodist Church where she was supported by her loving church family. Her love and faith in God gave her strength, and she had a heart of gold.

Visitation will be at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction on Monday, September 25, from 1 to 3pm and 6 to 8pm. Following her cremation, a church celebration of her life will be held at a date to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Please visit Ruth’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.