Obituary of Ruth Evelyn Clifford

Ruth Evelyn Clifford of Middletown, and a former longtime resident of Washingtonville, a retired employee of the N.Y. State Department of Labor, died on Thursday December 12, 2013 at home, with her family at her side. She was 88. The daughter of the late Carl and Alberta Olsen Newberg, she was born on January 30, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York. She married her beloved husband of 66 years John A. Clifford on September 6, 1947 in St. Agatha's in Brooklyn, New York. She was a member of the Swedish Order of VASA; a charter member and officer of Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Jude in Washingtonville. Chairwoman for the American Heart Assn in Blooming Grove. A member of the Arden Hill Hospital Auxiliary and volunteer for the Blooming Grove Twig. She volunteered for 20 years at the Joslin Diabetes Clinic in Clearwater, Florida, and she helped with mailings for the Orange Regional Medical Center since moving back to the area. Mom loved to travel and keeping her Scandinavian heritage alive by passing down her favorite recipes like Krumkaker, Swedish pancakes and Klugg which so many will remember so fondly. She leaves behind her loving family :her husband , the love of her life Jack or as she affectionately called him " Chor-Che". Her children Christine Stewart and her husband Douglas of Arlington, Virginia.; Diane Sammarco and her husband Dino of Leesburg, VA; Tricia Duke and her husband Craig of Middletown and John R. Clifford and his wife Tina of Ocala, Florida. Her grandchildren Matthew; Courtney; Jonathan; Dino; Kyle; Christina and Daniel. Her five great-grandchildren: William, James, Margaret, Avery and Madeline. She is also survived by her brother Albert Newberg and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Meghan. Our family wants to give special thanks to Dr. Sophia Lee from Crystal Run who has cared for mom with love, patience and understanding. To Selsa and Kristen, our new family, your love, dignity, patience and tenderness with mom will never be forgotten-you both are truly loved. Friends are invited to call on Tuesday December 17, 2013 from 2 to 6 P.M. at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main St. Middletown, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday December 18, 2013 at 11 A.M. at St. Joseph Church 149 Cottage Street Middletown, N.Y. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery Washingtonville, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to ORMC Foundation for the New Pediatric Center 707 East Main St. Middletown, N.Y. 10940 or John S. Burke High School 80 Fletcher St. Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Arrangements by Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 343-6023 or www.ocfuneralhomes.com.