Ruth Stern Schrag – Monessen

Ruth Stern Schrag, 94, of Monessen, passed away peacefully at Monongahela Valley Hospital on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2020. She was born on March 26, 1925, in Monessen, the daughter of the late Samuel and Hilda Markey Stern. She also had a step-mother, Edythe Crowe Stern. Ruth was a remarkable woman throughout her life. Ruth graduated from Monessen High School, and in the summer before her senior year, she attended a specialized program at Northwestern University designed for speech students. Upon graduation, she enrolled in Northwestern University and received her degree in speech therapy. She attained her master’s equivalency in English literature from California University of Pennsylvania. Ruth provided speech therapy in the parochial schools of Monessen prior to teaching English for 30 years at Charleroi High School. She loved her work, took great pride in the many students she taught and led the debate team and tutoring club. Ruth often received calls and visits from former students who enjoyed her as a teacher and mentor. At the age of 70, she taught writing in the Lifelong Learning Program at Carnegie Mellon University. She and her colleagues published several journals of short stories and poetry. In addition to her profession, Ruth was active in a variety of organizations, including Junior Women’s Club, Friends of the Monessen Public Library, B’nai Brith Women, Temple Beth Am Sisterhood, several reading groups and Easter Seals. She also took T’ai Chi classes. Ruth was a great debater and wrote many funny and moving poems and short stories. She was a genuine friend and visited those who were unable to get out or were ill. She opened her home to a number of nieces and nephews who enjoyed spending time with her. Ruth was fiercely independent and was still driving, living in the family home and lovingly nurturing her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild and extended family. She truly will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Ruth was a loving mother to Susan (Barbara Warr) Schrag, Loren (John) Vivio and Jonathan Schrag; a treasured grandmother to Jason (Ashley) Schrag, Benjamin (Lesa) Vivio, Daniel (Nerina) Vivio, Patrick, Stephanie, and Heather Schrag; and a loving great-grandmother to Lia Schrag. She is also survived by two brothers, Leonard (Joanie Ostrow) Stern and Daniel (Eileen) Stern, with whom she maintained a close and loving relationship. She was adored by many nieces and nephews, as well as their partners. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert E. Schrag; a sister, Margie (Leo/Albie) Ash-Weiner; a sister-in-law, Mary-jo Stern; and her father and mother-in-law, Emil and Helen Schragenheim. Family and friends will gather for visitation in DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. & CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Sara Perman. At the request of the family, interment will be private in Beth Am Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Monessen Public Library, 326 Donner Ave., Monessen, PA 15062. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.