Ruth M. Wobig

Ruth M. Wobig, age 97, taken by angels to her heavenly home on September 27, 2017. Ruth was born to the late Ezra & Margaret Menzies on May 1, 1920, in Newark NJ before moving to the Ithaca area as a young child. Ruth graduated Ithaca High School Class of 1939, and attended Baptist Bible Seminary.
Ruth's story as a hairdresser began in 1963 upon graduation from Pauldines Beauty School in Elmira, NY when she opened The Personality Beauty Salon in her home. In furthering her education Ruth ultimately achieved the honor of becoming the first NYS Hair Designer's Guild member from Tompkins County. Ruth taught programs at Willard State Hospital, State School for Girls in Lansing, was a guest teacher at Alfred University as well as conducting a special program for female inmates at NYC Riker's Island and other detention institutions to help inmates build self-esteem and confidence. Ruth was a state examiner, certified to conduct practical examinations of candidates for license in cosmetology.
In 1983 Ruth went with the USA Olympic Hair Styling team in Europe, visiting other schools of beauty culture in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Engaging other professionals and continuing education was a priority to Ruth as she endeavored to better serve her clients, until her retirement at age 80.
Ruth was involved in many church and community activities including her long tenure as a member of the Women's Auxiliary, Gideon's International. She was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church, Lansing, NY before joining Peoples Baptist Church, Newfield, NY in 1980. She was a source of joy and peace to everyone who knew her.
Ruth is survived by her daughter Janice Eckert; step-daughters Corrine Brinkman and Adele (William) Crawford; sons David Hall and Delbert (Carol) Hall; her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; and her many nieces and nephews; her brothers Donald (Eleanor) and Edward (Donna) Menzies; her sisters Delphine Leonard and Elizabeth Weindorf; sister-in-law Eva (Robert) Knorr. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband's Delbert L Hall and Gordon H Wobig; brothers Paul and Harold Menzies; sisters Louise Eaton and Florence Laue; daughters DeAnn L Wittner and Faye M Hall; brother-in-law Henry Hall; sister-in-law Grace Pyatt; daughter-in-law Darlia J Hall; son-in-law's Ernie Brinkman and Robert A Eckert.
A family burial was held at the Quick Cemetery in Brooktondale, NY. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday October 5, 2017, 6:30 p.m., at Peoples Baptist Church, 364 Main St., Newfield, N.Y., followed by a fellowship time and refreshments. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 or Hospicare & Palliative Care Services, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY. 14850