Ruth Veverka, age 98

Ruth Tonry Veverka, age 98, passed away on Monday, October 10th. She was born in Martinsburg, West Va., on June 24, 1918.  She was the daughter of James Charles and May Elizabeth Tonry.  Ruth received her Bachelor of Science degree in home economics from West Virginia University in1940, a Master of Science degree in educational psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1950, and completed post-graduate work in Library Science at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1970.  Ruth enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Richmond, Va. on Sept. 9, 1942, and was accepted into the first class of Midshipmen WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service). She was commissioned ensign Jan. 8, 1943, after completing officers training at Smith College, Northhampton, MA.  Ruth was assigned to Washington, D.C. to Navy Dept. OP-20-G during World War II and later to the Naval Communcations Annex.  In July 1945 Ruth was transferred to Port Blakely, Washington on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound to the USN Radio Supplementary Station. She was released on points Jan. 6, 1946 as a lieutenant. In August of 1946 Ruth began working for the U.S. Navy as a civilian cryptanalyst.  In September 1948 she married Cdr. Rudolph E. Veverka, USN. Ruth and Rudy lived and traveled according to Rudy’s various assignments as Commanding Officer, USN, in Arlington, Va., Lincoln, Neb., New Orleans, La., and San Diego Ca.  Prior to entering the service, Ruth taught high school for two years in Fort Ashby, West Va., and Bunker Hill, West Va.  Ruth also worked as a Librarian for School District 66 in Omaha, Nebraska from 1970-1988.
Ruth was a devoted wife and mother. She was a sensitive, gentle and gracious woman who loved art, music, and books. Ruth was a woman of remarkable strength, who met any challenge with courage and faith in our Lord.   She was a member of the American Red Cross, 1953-56, Navy Relief Society of San Diego, 1959-61, and a member of the American Association of University Women. She was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church in Syracuse, N.Y. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Karen Elizabeth Veverka of Skaneateles, N.Y., nephew Micheal Tonry, niece Senga Tonry Anen, god-daughter Sarah Veverka Fletcher of Fresno, Ca., and many grand nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home in Skaneateles, NY, Thursday, October 13th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM., and at Browns Funeral Home, Martinsburg, West Va., on October 15th, 10-11:00 am, and graveside services with military honors and burial at Rosedale Cemetery, Martinsburg, West Va.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.