Ruth R. (Reves) Cormier, 84, of Cherry Valley, died Friday, December 07, 2012 at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA. Her husband of 38 years, Leonard P. Cormier, Sr. died February 12, 1984.
     She leaves her three children, Leonard P. Cormier, Jr. and his wife Sharon of Shrewsbury, Linda G. Irr and her husband Patrick of Medway, and Susan R. Thibeault and her husband Paul of Cherry Valley; three brothers, Clyde Reves, Sr. of Mississippi, Samuel Slaughter Reves of Tennessee and James Lawerence Reves of Mississippi; three sisters, Douglas Hudnall of Alabama, Christine Thomas of Tennessee and Lula Ann McAdory of Mississippi; fifteen grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Edward Benjamin Reves; four sisters, Mary Catherine Reves, Mildred Crites, Grace Turner and Von Ceil Reves; and a grandson, Neal P. Spring.
     Ruth was born in Duck Hill, Mississippi and was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Maggie Lee (Lishman) Reves. She graduated from Sunflower County Agricultural High School, Moorhead, Mississippi in 1945 and earned her degree from Sunflower Junior College.
     Ruth retired from Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, MA on May 1, 1990, where she worked as a bookkeeper for 15 years. She also worked at Jordan Marsh in the Bakery Department for several years. Prior to that, Ruth worked for the Y.M.C.A on Main St. in Worcester as a bookkeeper for 11 years. Ruth was a doting grandmother and truly enjoyed being surrounded by her grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and spent most summer days digging in her garden. She enjoyed fishing and traveling to her native Mississippi and visiting with her siblings every year. Ruth enjoyed needlepoint and crochet. She also loved to sew. Ruth will be fondly remembered for her amazing banana pudding, her sharp wit and for playing a mean game of “chicken.” But her unselfish willingness to give of herself to her family and friends was her most endearing quality. She was an amazingly strong woman who met adversity head-on with strength and determination. She was the Matriarch of our family and we will all miss her tremendously.
     You are invited to attend her visiting hours in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, from 4-7 PM Monday, December 10, 2012. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 beginning at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John Church, 44 Temple St., Worcester at 10 AM. Ruth will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, immediately following the Mass. Those who wish to remember Ruth by a way of a memorial tribute are kindly asked to consider the American Lung Association , 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20004.