Barbara Ruehlman

After a full life and a long illness, Barbara passed away on Saturday morning March 24. She was born to Amos and Josephine Leonard in Syracuse, later moving with her family to St Louis. There, she married and returned to central NY to raise a family. She was active in her church, Our Lady of Angels (later Church of the Holy Family) and volunteered her time for many causes. Among them was as an early member of the Union Volunteer Emergency Squad and she served many years on her local election board. She worked as a pharmacy technician for Fays Drugs until retirement. She cooked with skill and reveled in trying out new recipes on her children, usually to great success. She also enjoyed travel, often sailing the coast of New England on a windjammer with friends. Her true passion was playing bridge and nothing would get in the way of club night with the ladies. She is survived by her daughter Pam Payne and husband Michael Pfeifer (St. Louis), sons Patrick (Endwell) and Eric (Port Crane), grandson Andrew Payne, wife Silvia and great granddaughter Ingrid (Moab, Utah). She is also survived by her brother Richard and wife Patricia along with several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son John and sister Suzanne Methvin. It’s said that friends are family you make along the way and Barbara extended hers tremendously. Too many departed before her yet many she leaves behind, including her dear friends Jeanne Rusnak and Arlene Garfield. Special thanks to those at Susquehanna Nursing who provided tender care.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10:30 am at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott. The family will receive friends at church Wednesday from 9:30 am until Mass time at 10:30 am.