Merritt, Ruth M. Cooney,

Ruth M. Cooney Merritt Beloved Mother and Grandmother to Everyone
Ruth M. Cooney Merritt, age 87, of Erie, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 12, 2008
of Erie.pa," Ruth was born in Erie, August 22, 1921, a daughter of the late Charles and Rose Straub Cooney. Ruth graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 1940. Prior to her marriage, Ruth worked at Erie Bolt and Nut and later worked as a sales associate downtown and then at the Millcreek Mall Carlisle’s Department Store. She was a founding member of St. Luke Parish and a member of its Rosary Society. Ruth was a cherished and loving mother and homemaker, enjoyed many years spending time and playing cards with her 500 Club girls, dancing at family weddings, cross-stitching and solving word jumbles. Ruth had a wonderful sense of humor. Family and friends affectionately referred to Ruth as “Boopsie” and “Pinky”. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 yrs., Claire L. Merritt, Jr. in 2004 and by brothers, Kenneth, Charles, Robert and Thomas Cooney. Survivors include her daughters, Carol M. Zesinger, husband G. Robert III, of Burke Va., Diane L. Hyman, husband David, of Winchester, Va., Margaret R. “Meg” Britton, husband John, of Waterford, Pa.; sons, Douglas J. Merritt, wife Judy, of Nashville Tenn., and Dr. Mark A. Merritt, wife Heidi, of Honduras; brothers, Ralph, Jim and Jack Cooney all of Erie;
sisters, Mary Frances Dunlavey of Bayonet Point, Fla. and Natalie Uhlman of Rochester, N.Y.; sisters in law, Doris and Frieda Cooney both of Erie; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer Merritt McCollum, husband Scott, Mark R. Zesinger, wife Janell, Greg M. Zesinger, wife Ashley, Elizabeth Z. Ingraham, husband John, Lt. David C. Zesinger, USAF, Eric D. Hyman, Lt. Daniel C. Hyman, USMC, Michael D. Hyman, Jacob A. Merritt, Sarah Britton Bates, husband Quantres, Jeffrey D. Britton, and Andrew J. Britton; great grandchildren, Amy and Julie Zesinger, Merritt and Jamie Zesinger, Madeline Ingraham, and Trey and Alyssa Bates. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Friends may call at the
A. Brugger & Sons Funeral Home, LLP 845 East 38 St., Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend services there on Monday at 9:20 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial in Mary Queen of Peace Cemetery. Memorials suggested to St. Luke School, 425 East 38 St. Erie 16504 or St. Mary’s Home of Erie, Gallagher Unit, 607 East 26 St. Erie 16504 Condolences at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com
Erie Times-News from 11/13/2008 - 11/16/2008.

St. Luke Church,"