Ruth A. Barclay

Ruth Ann Barclay, age 94, died Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Ripon, Wisconsin. She was born April 17, 1931, in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, to Ozro and Vera Barclay.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Ozro and Vera Barclay; her sisters, Elva and Claire; her brother, Ozro; and other cherished relatives and friends.

Ruth is survived by her niece, Kathy (Jim) Rait, who held the place of a daughter. She is further survived by her goddaughter, Jessica (Steve) Brunhoefer, and their children, Abbie, Kenzie, Riley, and Steven, who lovingly cared for her and shared their home with her; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

Ruth was a devout Catholic whose faith guided every aspect of her life. She nurtured a deeply personal relationship with Jesus, faithfully writing scripture and prayers each day. She lived her faith quietly through kindness, humility, and a servant’s heart, offering unconditional love and constant prayer for those around her.

After her retirement, she moved to Green Bay, where she became an active member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Ashwaubenon. There, she generously gave her time serving in many ministries and formed lasting friendships within her parish community, which brought her great joy. Her life was a reflection of her faith, lived through love, prayer, and service to others. Her compassion for people, especially those who were hurting or overlooked, was at the center of who she was.

Ruth earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and dedicated 42 years to her career as a special education teacher, beginning her work in Pennsylvania before spending the majority of her years in the West Bend School District. Ruth had a gift for reaching students who struggled, offering patience, understanding, and hope. She made a lasting impact not only on her students, but also on their families, and is remembered as a teacher who truly saw and believed in those who needed it most.

She found great joy in the outdoors, especially tending to her gardens, watching the birds, and feeding the squirrels. She cherished time spent camping and being at the lake with family.

Ruth also had a deep love for animals and treasured the many pets she cared for throughout her life, who brought her great comfort and companionship.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena, 228 E. Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971, on Monday, April 27, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Generations Hospice.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and residents of Maplecrest Manor Assisted Living for the care, kindness, and companionship they shared with Ruth. She was truly treated like family, and her stories brought joy to many. The friendships she formed there brought her great happiness and were a true blessing in her final years.

Her faith, kindness, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.