Ruth Ann Lester-Mendat

Ruth Ann Lester-Mendat, age 69, died of brain cancer on April 25th, 2022, in Johnsonburg, PA.

She is survived by her wife of 32 years, Roxann Lester-Mendat, of Johnsonburg, PA, formerly from Columbus, OH; her furry children Hildie and Ellie; her brother, Ken (Elaine Bishop) Mendat, of Johnsonburg, PA; and her brother-in-law, Roscoe Lester (Susie Basso), of Columbus, OH. As well as stepbrothers and sisters, Richard A Stenta of Raleigh, N.C., Marie (Richard) Olszewski of Ridgway, Gerald (Georgia) Stenta of Ridgway, Caroline (Bob) Foley of Philadelphia, and Ronald (Diane) Stenta of Ridgway; Special Cousin Marion Oldani of Ridgway; many other cousins, step nieces and nephews and many friends.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Ferdinand Stenta, her Uncle Blair (Ruth) McClintick, and her Aunts Naomi (Harry) Ernst, Vera McClintick, and Verna (Sam) Borello.  As well as a stepbrother Ferdinand J. Stenta.

Ruth was born on March 7^th,1953 in Ridgway, PA, to parents Ione M. (McClintick) Mendat and Herman W. Mendat. She graduated from Johnsonburg High School in 1971 and IUP in 1975 with a degree in Education. Ruth worked her way through college at Hills Department Store in Indiana, PA and continued there after graduation. 

In 1988, she moved to Columbus, Ohio to set up and work in a new Hills store, where she worked as a department manager until Hills closed in 1994.  She then became a Store Manager for Complete Petmart, where she worked for 15 years.  However, at the end of her working career she found her favorite job through AARP at Childrens Hunger Alliance in Columbus as a Project Coordinator for their After School Feeding Program.  This position allowed her to show her compassion for our fellow human beings and children. 

She married Roxann legally in October of 2015, however they previously held a Commitment Ceremony in October of 1991 to celebrate their love and commitment to one another.  The couple had many fur children they spoiled rotten over their years together.  They shared many wonderful years together and loved spending time with family and friends.

Ruth enjoyed life in Columbus but always missed her hometown.  Her goal was to retire here and enjoy the natural surroundings of this beautiful area.  She loved to get out to the many state parks and festivals in both Ohio and PA, hiking, crafts and enjoying campfires.  Her favorite Ohio festivals were the Circleville Pumpkin Show, Octoberfest, the Sauerkraut and Bratwursts festivals.  However, her absolute favorite place was in Cook Forest, and she spent many vacations there enjoying the forest and the Clarion River.

The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, May 7, 2021from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the Ubel Funeral Home of Johnsonburg. A celebration of life is scheduled for Ruth, 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at the Funeral Home with Pastor David Pfleiger. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ruth’s life. The family would like to thank the Penn Highlands Community Hospice staff for their services and support during this difficult time.  In lieu of flowers the family would like to request donations be sent to the American Brain Tumor Association at (bit.ly/DonateABTA) or 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631.  Or donations may also be made to the Penn Highlands Community Nurses at 757 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.

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