Ruth B. White, 85, of Johnstown, N.Y., passed away on June 28, 2012, at Wells House Nursing Home. She was born December 10, 1926, in Hoffmans, N.Y., the daughter of Harold B. and Margaret Lenz Briggs. She was a 1944 graduate of Johnstown High School and from 1944 to 1952 was employed as a clerk at the Fulton County Clerk's Office. From 1952 to 1990, she was employed at Beneficial Finance in Johnstown. Mrs. White joined her husband, Edward, in the operation of The Colonial Suttler and was active in the Johnson Hall Market Fairs. She was a member of the Johnstown Historical Society, the Johnstown Planning and Zoning Boards, and was, from 1995 to 2011, the primary organizer of the Johnstown Memorial Day parades and ceremonies and for the 250th Johnstown Celebration. She was instrumental in organizing the downtown hanging baskets, the park flowers and flowers at the Water Dept. and helped organize her Johnstown class reunions. Mrs. White was a member of the Jolly 20 Bowling League. She was the recipient of the DeWitt Clinton Award, the Liberty Bell Award, the Jenny Ketchum Award and the Bowler Hall of Fame. She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn A. (James) Nocito of Davenport, Fla.; a son, Edward E. White of Johnstown; and two brothers, Paul Briggs of B.C., Canada, Frederick Briggs of Canterbury, N.H.; and a sister, Kathryn Sweet of Texas; four grandchildren, KimberlyAnn Harris, Master Gunnery Sgt. David Billa, Nicholas A. Nocito and Julie A. Nocito; nine great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Ehle Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be held immediately following at 4 p.m. Cremation will take place at Vale Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the James Brennan Humane Society, Gloversville, N.Y.
