Ruth Ann McConnell's Obituary
Ruth Ann McConnell, age 73 of Gainesville, passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015 in E.T. York Care Center from complications of cancer. She was born in Burlington, Wisconsin and spent most of her early childhood in the Reeseville-Clyman area. She attended and graduated high school in 1960 in Watertown, WI. From 1960 to 1961 Ruth attended the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI, and then University of Wisconsin in Platteville WI from 1961 to 1964. She graduated with a teaching degree in English/Biology. Her first teaching position was in Menomonie, WI, teaching English from 1964 to 1966. She then went to Ft. Atkinson, WI and taught English from 1966 to 1969 and then on to Orlando, FL from 1970 to 1973 and finally to Gainesville, FL in 1973. In Gainesville she worked for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield as a customer service representative for 22 years and after promotion, head customer service representative.
On November 28, 1964 she married Dennis B. McConnell in Menomonie, WI. Ruth loved to travel by automobile, planes, trains and in later years, cruise ships. Her travel destinations included Alaska, Austria, Canada, Costa Rico, Caribbean Islands, England, France, Greenland, Germany, Hawaii, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, Panama, Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.
Ruth was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church since 1973. She was involved in and enjoyed the Women’s Bible Study Group and ALERT meetings.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dennis B. McConnell; son, Michael B. McConnell; daughter, Sharon K. McCartney and four grandchildren, Tyler, Quinlan, Ariel and Dennis.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Dr. Dan Johnson officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32653 or Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.
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