Catherine Rapier Boblitt Ruether

Catherine Rapier Boblitt Ruether, 86

Troy Catherine Rapier Boblitt Ruether, 86, of Troy, NY and Bardstown, KY, died March 22, 2003 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY. She was a resident of Beechwood Retirement Community in Troy.

Born in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1917, she was the last surviving offspring of Charles Peter (C. P.) Rapier and Frances Lula Cecil, of Nelson County, KY. She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Robert M. Ruether, Sr, three daughters, Janet Ruether Stasio of Slingerlands, NY, Catherine Ruether Kuzma (Dr. Gary) of Greensboro, NC, Madeline Ruether Kennedy (Dr. Brian) of Troy, NY, and one son, Robert M. Ruether, Jr. of Palo Alto, CA, and seven grandchildren. In addition, she leaves behind several loving nephews and nieces and sisters-in -law Eleanor Rapier and Louise Thompson. She was predeceased by her first husband, William Boblitt in 1972, and her siblings Cecil Rapier, Sylvia R. Smith, Charles Peter Rapier, Virginia R. Hite, Elmo Rapier, Ferdinand Rapier, Madeline R. Ruether, Augustine Rapier and Joseph Rapier.

Since her marriage in 1986, Catherine has maintained residences in both Troy, NY and Bardstown, KY. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Victory Church in Troy and of St. Joseph Basilica Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown.

Catherine was an honor graduate of both Bethlehem High School and of Nazareth College in Bardstown and a graduate of Spalding University in Louisville. She was a retired schoolteacher having taught elementary grades in Nelson County Schools for 45 years. Her career began in a one-room schoolhouse in the 1930s. She initiated and conducted an innovative tutorial summer school program for many years, which became a precursor to the Headstart Program. She received numerous commendations for innovations in teaching, including being selected as a "teacher -of-the -year". She was active in many religious and academic programs.

She was a member of the Kentucky Retired Teachers' Association, the National Education Association, the Mohawk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Troy Woman's Club, the Ilium Literary Club, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels and Past President of the Altar Society of St. Joseph's Church.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass which will be held Tuesday at 9:30am at Our Lady of Victory Church North Lake Avenue Troy with Rev. Randall P. Patterson, Pastor, officiating. Interment Bardstown Cemetery in Bardstown.

Donations in Catherine's memory may be made to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144 or the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany, 301 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY.

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