Obituary of Ruth Alma (Hudson) Ostrander

Ruth Alma (Hudson) Ostrander, 90, of East Greenbush NY died December 14, 2016, in Albany, NY. Ruth was born at home in Washingtonville, NY on August 3, 1926. She was the daughter of the late David and Susan Brown Hudson and sister of the late Norma Comfort and Dorothy Zahn. Ruth graduated from New Paltz Teachers College in 1947 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught Kindergarten in Cornwall-on-Hudson. Ruth married her beloved husband and best friend, Robert “Bob” J Ostrander in 1948. They were married 68 years. With Bob, she was a Partner in the Telephone Pioneers of America and joined the Telephone Pioneer Clown Troupe, where she was known as “Sunshine”. Ruth was involved in many of the Pioneer activities. She was named Albany Life Member Pioneer Partner and was inducted in the Pioneer Hall of Fame in 1995. Ruth was a member of the First United Methodist Church, East Greenbush, NY. She taught Sunday School, was a member of the United Methodist Women and Key Woman for Church Women United and served on many committees and projects. Ruth enjoyed making crafts all her life, knitting Christmas stockings for family and friends and hand-crafting felt Christmas ornaments and Christmons to give to family friends and neighbors. She enjoyed writing her Annual Christmas Letter from 1955 to the present. Ruth was an officer of the 871st Airborne Engineer Reunion Organization and editor of their Guinea Gold for many years. She was also Cub Scout and 4-H Leader for her children. Survivors in addition to her husband include her children Susan (Dean) Carroll of Pensacola, FL, Peter (Carmella) Ostrander of East Greenbush and Pamela (Paul) Vooris of Nassau; grandchildren Suzette Hawsey, Wendy (Joseph) Pecore, Shawn (Amy) Carroll, Michael (Danielle) Carroll, Matthew (Julie) Vooris, Patrick (Melissa) Carroll and Adam (Melissa) Vooris ; 11 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 1 Gilligan Rd, East Greenbush, NY on April 9, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Memorial contributions may be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 1 Gilligan Rd, East Greenbush, NY. Please sign the guestbook, here, and express condolences.