AKWESASNE – Mrs. Ruth B. White, 89, of Sunrise Acres, unexpectedly passed away Tuesday morning, April 11, 2017 at Massena Memorial Hospital.
Ruth was born at the family home on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, the daughter of the late Andrew and Charlotte Snow Bero. She attended Mohawk school and Massena High School. Later in life, she attended and graduated from Mater Dei College. A marriage to Richard Herne, ended in divorce. She later married Kenneth White, who predeceased her.
Ruth was a homemaker, who worked for a time at the Bombay Slipper Factory. An active communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church and its Altar and Rosary Society. She taught catechism to many students throughout the years and was member of the Kateri Circle and traveled to many conferences with the Circle. She was a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens, Tri-District Elders, and the Akwesasne Death Benefits Group. She enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, doing crossword puzzles, bowling, playing Bingo, and watching Days of our Lives.
Ruth is survived by her children, Lorene Herne (Ronald Jacobs) of Akwesasne; Edward Herne (Dawn Loran) of Akwesasne; Sandra and Bruce Wilkinson of Antioch, CA; and Ricky Herne of Akwesasne; her son-in-law, Herbie Oakes of Akwesasne; 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren; her sister, Nancy Arquette of Akwesasne; many godchildren including, Sylvia Bero of Six Nations; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Ruth was predeceased by a daughter, Darlene Oakes on April 19, 2013; 3 grandchildren, Marcia and Carson Herne and Ryan Oakes; her sisters, Helen Laughing, Louise Seymour, Rita Bero, and Marion LaFrance; and her brothers, John and William Bero.
Friends may call at the Akwesasne Homemakers starting Monday 12:00 PM until 12:00 PM Wednesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 1:00 PM at St. Regis Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating.
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