Ruth Keeler Oksala, 97
Dan McClelland
Ruth Keeler Oksala, 97, passed away on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Wellington Assisted-Living Residence in West Chester, PA.
Born April 16, 1921, in Tupper Lake Junction (Faust), she was the daughter of the late Floyd Keeler and the late Blanche Dewey Keeler.
Ruth was just 16 when she graduated as Valedictorian of her class from Tupper Lake High School. In 1942 she graduated from Albany State Teachers College, now SUNY Albany. Her marriage to Herbert Oksala took place the day before her graduation. Afterwards they traveled to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where Herb had a job with GE.
Over the years they lived in Pittsfield, Dalton, and Windsor, Massachusetts.
Herb pre-deceased Ruth on December 19, 2014. They had been married for 72 years.
Ruth enjoyed many activities around the home. She was an excellent baker, her lemon meringue pie was heavenly and her snickerdoodles were beyond compare. She enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzle and was an avid reader. She word as a proofreader for the Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield from 1964 to 1970 and also as a bookkeeper for the Arrow Sign Company in Pittsfield.
Ruth is survived by her two sons, Stephen (Junede) of Exton, and Peter (Carol) of Glenmoore, four grandchildren, Megan, Erik, Christopher, and Mary, as well as four great-grandchildren.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Wild Center at 45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, NY 12986 or Habitat for Humanity at 1847 E. Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville, PA 19320.
Services will be private.