JOHNSTOWN - Ruth B. White, who spent a lot of her time volunteering to improve the quality of life in the city, was being remembered today as an energetic, humble and helpful person.
The 85-year-old White died Thursday at the Wells Nursing Home.
She could be seen for many years downtown, beautifying city and park properties by planting flowers.
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Ruth B. White rides in a car driven by Bruce Becker of Mayfield during a Johnstown parade in May 2011. White died Thursday at age 85. (The Leader-Herald/Bill Trojan)
White was also the primary organizer for many years of the Johnstown Memorial Day Parade, which was not held this year. She was a member of the city's planning and zoning boards and was active in the Johnson Hall State Park activities.
"Ruth was one of the most long-term, committed volunteers the city has ever had," Mayor Sarah Slingerland said today.
She said the public appreciated the flowers White would plant at City Hall and the downtown park.
White was a committed civil and public servant, the mayor said.
"I feel if she said she was going to do something, she did it," Slingerland said.
Johnstown Memorial Day Committee Chairman John Morris, who in the past has said White was the catalyst for the Memorial Day event, remembered the Hall Avenue resident as a humble person who worked hard to improve the city.
"She was a great person and a great lady who did a lot for the community," Morris said. "She kept a low profile and didn't want to be recognized."
Former Johnstown Mayor William Pollak also remembered White as a positive force in the city.
"She certainly was a terrific asset for the city of Johnstown," Pollak said. "We're certainly going to miss her."
Attorney Peter K. Smith, chairman of the Planning Board that White sat on for many years, said her service always was appreciated.
"I always appreciated her common sense, down-to-earth point of view," Smith said. "Ruth was a whirlwind. She always stepped up when something needed to be done for the city."
Michael Anich can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.