Ruth H. (Carraher) McMahon, 84 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at the Oakwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Webster, MA.

Ruth’s husband of sixty-two years, Thomas F. McMahon, Sr. passed away April 5, 2010. She is survived by a daughter, Karen Demuth and her husband Daniel of West Hartford, CT; two sons, Richard McMahon and his wife Sheronna of Conroe, TX; Harry McMahon and his wife Eleanor of Linden, VA; a brother, Robert D. Carraher of Hudson; a sister, Barbara Jacobs of Kensington, MD; thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her son, Thomas F. McMahon, Jr. in 2009 and two brothers, Francis and Vincent Carraher.

Ruth was born in Worcester, a daughter of the late Frank A. and Helen P. (Faltynowski) Carraher and has lived here all her life. She graduated from Classical High School and later received her degree as a Registered Nurse from The Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Ruth worked as the Head R.N. in the Orthopedic Department at Memorial Hospital for twenty-five years before retiring in 1985. She volunteered for St. Vincent Hospital for several years and was a member of the Memorial Hospital Nursing Alumni Association. She also founded the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses and served several terms as their president. Ruth was a member of the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church.

Services for Ruth will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A period of calling hours will be held on Tuesday morning, November 29th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the funeral home prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: A.S.P.C.A, PO Box 96929, Washington, DC, 20090-6929.