LONGMEADOW - Ruth (Waldman) Shecrallah, 91, a former longtime resident of the Forest Park section of Springfield and Longmeadow, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, February 22, 2024. She passed into Eternal Life surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Springfield on Independence Day, July 4, 1932, a beloved daughter of the late Isidor Waldman and Esther (Ackerman) Kowarsky. Ruth and her husband John were the owners of Dairy Mart on Dickinson Street in Springfield. The Dairy Mart was a central meeting place for friends and neighbors. When not working hard at the store, she would be at home taking care of her six children and welcoming their many friends. Her home was always open, just the way she liked it.
Ruth was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Shecrallah who was Called Home on March 31, 2000. They were married on June 24, 1956, at the former Saint Anthony Maronite Church on Charles Street in Springfield and were blessed with over 43 years of happiness together. She was a communicant of Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield and was a member of the Saint Anthony Women's Guild. Ruth’s laugh was contagious and could fill a room with joy. She was an avid reader of biographies and political books, and an absolute news buff. She loved to knit, watch old movies and was a big fan of her beloved Boston Red Sox.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Ruth loved her children and grandchildren fiercely. They were her whole life. She leaves her six loving children, Donna Shecrallah-Mack and her husband George, of Scituate, MA, John Shecrallah and his wife, Doris Beauregard-Shecrallah, of Wilbraham, Mark Shecrallah and his partner, Kathy Greenwell, of South Carolina, Anne Kandilis and her husband Charles, of Springfield, Neil Shecrallah and his wife Diane, of Florida, and Laurie Shecrallah-Gurau and her husband, Steven, of Agawam; her ten cherished grandchildren, Katie Mack and her partner Ky, Diana Mack and her fiancé Phil, Eric Beauregard and his wife Kristina, Chantal Angelica and her husband Rick, Daniel Shecrallah, Steven Shecrallah and his wife Sarah, Nick Gurau and his wife, Megan, Stephanie Gurau, Jordan Gurau, and Lauren Gurau; her seven cherished great-grandchildren, Logan, Caden, Anthony, Evan, Saylor, Ashlynn, and Elijah; and her many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. She was predeceased by her two loving granddaughters, Jhanna Gurau who was Called Home on July 21, 2003, and Shelby Allyn Shecrallah who was Called Home on August 7, 2007; her siblings, David, Martha and Shirley; and her dear sister-in-law, Sally Roberts.
The family wishes to thank long-time caregivers, Roxana, Glorybeth, and Neffy; recent caregivers Isabel and Diane, Baystate Hospice nurse Lori-Ann, and the devoted staff at Care One at Redstone, for the love and dedication to our mother.
Visiting Hours will be on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 419 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. also at St. Anthony Church. Her burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. There are no additional Visiting Hours at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107.
In lieu of flowers, her family requests that memorial donations be made in Ruth's memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 375 Island Pond Road, Springfield, MA 01118. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com