Obituaries

Margaret V Ruane, 86, passed away peacefully at home on May 24, 2009. Born at Portland Point, NY of Garbor and Rosa Varga, on March 26, 1923.

Margaret attended Lansing Schools, always looking forward to and attending annual Alumni Reunions with family and friends. She worked for New York Telephone Company for 32 years as an operator until her retirement. After retirement she found the Service League where she spent many hours volunteering. The Service League became her passion where she would spend hours working among other volunteers that she considered among her closest friends. She was an avid golfer, a member of The Country Club of Ithaca, and a communicant at St Catherine of Siena Church.  She and her husband Jim spent many months of April on Siesta Key in Florida, walking the beach, searching for shells and sharks teeth and golfing. She also loved to shop, especially for her grandchildren.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband James of 42 years; her parents; brothers Stephen, Garbo, and Joseph Varga, and sisters Mary Varga, Ann Kozaka, and Helen Russo; son-in-law Steven Martinson; sisters-in-law Sue, Clara and Virginia Varga, and brothers-in-law Frank and Robert Ruane, Peter Russo and Horace Crass.

She is survived by her sister Rosa Crass of Ithaca; brother-in-law Frank Kozacka of Exeter, NH; son Thomas Ruane (Donna) of Lansing, and daughter Kathleen Martinson of Decorah, IA; grandchildren Dr. Erin (Justin) Daugherity, James and Robin Martinson, and Paul Ruane; sisters-in-law Barbara (Robert) Ruane and Helen Tudi; and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret will be missed by many in this community. Friends may call Wednesday from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Herson Funeral Home located at the Family Service Center, 110 S. Geneva St. in Ithaca. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Catherine’s on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. followed entombment in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Service League, 100 W. Seneca St. in Ithaca or the American Cancer Society.