Mary Ruth Rasey, beloved wife, mother and grandmother

WESTONS MILLS — Mary Ruth Rasey, of Olean-Portville Road, passed away peacefully Tuesday (June 23, 2026) at Cuba Memorial Hospital.

Born Aug. 22, 1935, in New London, Wis., Mary Ruth was the daughter of Victor and Maureen Carmody Roberts.

At age 12, she moved to Randolph, where she graduated from Randolph Central School in 1954. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from SUNY Fredonia in 1958 and taught at Randolph Central School before marrying Robert Rasey on July 12, 1958.

Mary Ruth and Robert shared 67 years of marriage and made their home in Westons Mills, where they raised their family and became active members of the community. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was her family.

Mary ruth was also a grandmother, educator, community leader and friend and known for her warmth, kindness, fierce spirit and determination. Mary Ruth dedicated much of her life to education and community service and was a Life Member of the PTA, she served for more than 31 years in local, regional and state leadership positions, including serving as president of the New York State PTA.

She also served as president of the Cattaraugus Council on Alcoholism and received the Rita Webb Smith Drug Fighter of the Year Award. In recognition of her service, she was inducted into the Portville Central School Hall of Fame.

Mary Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Robert Rasey; her children, Tom (Wendy) Rasey, Cathy (Tom) Derx, Maureen (Mark) Donahue, Harry (Darlene) Rasey, Jean Bantelman and Richard (Jennifer) Rasey; her grandchildren, Kristen (Jon) Reed, Elizabeth (Dan) Hager, Matthew (Noelle) Derx, Erin (Kevin) Dolney, MaryAnne (Nate) Zitnik, Ashley (Oliver) Hacker, Emily Bantelman, Rachel (Jordan) Evans, Robert Rasey, Meredith Rasey, Tim Rasey and Taylor Rasey; her great-grandchildren, Baker, Harper, Asa, Malin, Edwin, Cecilia, Theo, Gray, Emry, Iyana, Amani, Kaylani, Robert, Celeste, Peter and Carmody; and her brother, Tom (Lou) Roberts. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim (Maryanne) Rasey and Jean Aceto; a special close family member, Nancy Putt; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Maureen Roberts; her parents-in-law, Harry and Lorana Rasey; her sister and brother in-law, Elizabeth and Ron Berg; and her beloved grandson, Bryce Rasey.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to special caregiver Melinda Karver and to the physicians, nurses, and staff of Cuba Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care.

Friends will be received from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday (June 28, 2026) at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday (June 29, 2026) at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, Olean. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Basilica, Olean, or the Westons Mills Fire Department.

Mary Ruth’s legacy of faith, family, service and love will live on in all who knew her.

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.