Ruth J. Evans

Ruth J. (Hagen) Evans, 96, formerly of Pitcher and Cortland, NY, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, Oneonta, NY. 

Born in Pitcher Springs, NY, on May 4, 1920, Ruth was the daughter of the late William and Mabel Brown Hagen.  Ruth graduated from Cincinnatus Central School, attended Hartwick College, and married Donald Evans on February 11, 1946.  Ruth and Don resided in Pitcher Springs where they enjoyed many years together near family and friends. Ruth was the Director of Christian Education for the First United Methodist Church in Cortland, which included several weeks each summer as a religious camp counselor and cook.  After Don’s death in 1980, Ruth moved to Cortland where she worked and continued her hobbies of flower and vegetable gardening, needle crafts, cooking and reading.  She was especially well-known for her beautiful, hand-sewn quilts which she gave away and sold to others.  In the later years of her life, Ruth resided at the Elizabeth Brewster House in Homer and at Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Oneonta.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Donald Evans and a brother, Robert Hagen.  She is survived by a sister-in-law, Beverly Hagen, of Norwich; a niece, Ann (Paul) Adamo of Oneonta; and nephews William (Martha) Hagen of Mt. Airy, MD and Donald (Lisa) Hagen of Norwich.  She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY, on Friday, December 9, 2016, with Jeanne Angell officiating.  The family will be present to receive friends from 12:00 noon until the start of the service at 1:00 p.m.  Burial will be in Pitcher Cemetery.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ruth may be directed to the Pitcher Springs Restoration Project, c/o Jeff Blanchard, Supervisor, Town of Pitcher, P.O. Box 21, Pitcher, NY 13136.