Ruth (Buono) Cleveland

     
HORNELL - Ruth I. Cleveland, 69, of 1190 County Road 66, Hornell, died Monday (Jan. 31, 2005) at McAuley Manor, following a long illness.

A native and life resident of Hornell, she was born Aug. 27, 1935, daughter of Joseph Buono and the former Rita (McPherson) Buono.

Ruth was a communicant of St. Ann's Church and a graduate of St. Ann's School. She later graduated from Hornell High School.

Following high school, she worked for a time as waitress at the SunSet Inn in Hornell. For about four years, she owned and operated the former Lester's Flower Shop and for about two years worked as a nurse's aide and ward clerk at St. James Mercy Hospital. For several years she was employed as a cook for Muhleisen's Restaurant in Almond and later at the Pink Cadillac Restaurant in Hornell. Most recently, she was employed as treasurer of the Women's Auxiliary of the Hornell VFW.

Ruth was a very active member of the women's auxiliary of the VFW, where she was past president of the Hornell women's auxiliary, past county president of the women's auxiliary, past district president of the women's auxiliary. She also served as advisor of the Junior Girls Unit of the ladies auxiliary of the VFW. She was also a member and past president of the Hornell Eagles Club.

She enjoyed dancing and was a member of the Lisa Wood Dance School and a member of the "Dancing Grannies." She also enjoyed flower arranging and catering weddings.

She was married on May 28, 1960, to James Cleveland, who died Aug. 25, 1993. She was also preceded in death by her mother, Rita Buono; and her sister, Catherine Buono.

Surviving are two sons, James "Jim" Cleveland of Rochester and Robert "Bob" Cleveland of Balston Spa; one daughter, Rita (Gary) George of Almond; her father, Joseph Buono of Zephyrhills, Fla.; her fiancé, Charles "Chuck" Seager of Hornell; one sister, Mary Ann (Tom) Hoffman of Wellsville; two brothers, Peter (Barbara) Buono of Cuba and Kenneth (Suzanne) Buono of High Springs, Fla.; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Ruth's family request that memorial contributions be made to the Dialysis Unit of McAuley Manor, 1 Bethesda Drive, North Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Bath National Cemetery in Bath.