Ruth Unger DeGraff, 84, of Painesville, went to be with the Lord at her home on May 7, 2017. She was born in Cleveland on September 2, 1932, the only child of Anthony A. and Mary S. Unger. Until she was pre-teen they lived in Parma, OH, until the family moved to LaFeria, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, where they owned a citrus grove. She and her husband Bob first lived in Mentor, then moved to Painesville in 1967.

Ruth graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1954 with a teaching degree. She taught first grade in the Lakewood (Ohio) system, then at Madison Ave Elementary School in the Painesville Twp. (now Riverside) School System.

She was active in AAUW (American Assoc. of University Women) for years, eventually becoming President. She was the promoter behind the Painesville Community Garden that was located in the old Jackson Street Park in Painesville, a charter member of the Painesville Recycling Project in the late 80's, and also was very active in promoting early efforts for environmental action. Using a grant from Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Ruth established and was Co-ordinator of the Volunteer Aide Program in 1978-79 at John R. Williams Junior High School in the Painesville Township System. She was a member of the Wildwood Garden Club in Mentor for many years and a member of the Western Reserve Junior Service League. She was active in the former St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Mentor as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher.

She will be remembered for her unwavering faith and obedience in her Lord Jesus, her love for Scripture, and how she applied that faith and love, with dedication, to her family and friends. Whatever she did, it was with a crusading zeal, passion, intensity, and commitment.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 53 years, Robert E. (Bob) DeGraff, and twin daughters Anne (Kent) Symanzik of South Lyon, MI, and Amy (Bob) McNutt of Akron. She is the grandmother of Hannah and Michael Symanzik and Amelia, Rob, and Maria McNutt.

Ruth was a self-described "health nut", seriously adhering to a healthy diet and proselytizing such to anyone who would listen. She loved walking, gardening, reading, yoga, and tai chi. She also loved music, concerts, and playing the piano.

A Memorial Service in celebration of her life will be held at Hope Ridge United Methodist Church, 9870 Johnnycake Ridge Rd., Concord, Ohio on May 25, 2017 at 5:00PM with dinner following

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Ruth DeGraff (Unger), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.