Ruth Sheehan

Ruth H. “Ruthie” (Mason) Sheehan, 87, of East Hartford, loving wife of 47 years of the late James V. Sheehan, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Born in Woonsocket, RI on June 12, 1937, a daughter of the late Joseph F. and Hortense (LeForte) Mason, she had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 66 years. Ruth was a graduate of Woonsocket High School, class of 1955 in Woonsocket, RI. She retired from CBT in East Hartford after several years of dedicated service while being a proud home maker and mother.

A devout catholic, Ruth was a faithful communicant of St. Christopher Church in East Hartford and received the prestigious St. Joseph Medal from the Archdiocese of Hartford in March of 2014 for her service and volunteer work at St. Christopher Church. Ruth was a longtime active member of the East Hartford Woman’s Club where she served on the scholarship committee for many years and was instrumental in obtaining sponsors for the “Club Line” publication to support the Ways & Means club projects. She was also an honorary member of the East Hartford Rotary Club and a recipient of six Paul Harris awards. Ruthie was an avid reader and started a local book club in 1981 that is still in existence and with a strong membership. She enjoyed quilting and took pride in making several quilts for her family and friends, and volunteering for area organizations especially at Connecticut Foodshare. Ruthie was known by all for her loyal allegiance as a fan of the Boston Red Sox and all the major Boston sports teams, along with the UConn Men and Women basketball teams. Most of all, Ruthie was a true gentle woman who cherished her time spent with her late husband, daughters, grandchildren, and entire family.

Ruth is survived by two daughters, Kathleen A. Leonard and her husband Dan of Bloomfield, Karen S. Turley and her husband Brian of Broad Brook; four special grandchildren, Sarah Leonard of Deerfield, WI, Dan Leonard, Jr. and his wife Ashley of Madison, WI, Justin Turley of Hoboken, NJ, Cameron Turley of Washington, D.C.; and five adored great-grandchildren, Dylan Leonard, Trenton Bergeron, Oliver Leonard, Theo Leonard, and Esme Leonard. She also leaves a brother, Joseph Mason of Bellingham, MA; a brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas Sheehan of Naples, FL; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Friday (December 20th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at St. Christopher Church of North American Martyrs Parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Friday morning. Ruth’s family will receive relatives and friends at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Thursday (December 19th) from 3:30 – 6:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ruth’s name may be made to the East Hartford Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 380401, East Hartford, CT 06138-0401. Ruth’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mike and Sue Choquette along with Dr. Charles E. Rudder for their care, love, and compassion given to Ruth and her entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com