Ruth A. McGraw

Ruth A. McGraw, 97, of Herkimer, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, November 3, 2026, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer.

She was born on August 29, 1929, in Ilion, New York, the daughter of the late Merrill and Lula (Smith) Holtz. Ruth was raised and educated in Herkimer and graduated with the Class of 1947. On June 17, 1950, she married Gerald McGraw at the First Baptist Church in Herkimer. The couple shared 52 years of marriage until Gerald’s passing on November 5, 2002.

Ruth was formerly employed as a secretary at Ed Jones Insurance and later served as General Manager of Herkimer Petroleum in Mohawk, the first self-serve gas station for Bull Brothers. She also worked as a HEAP Coordinator for the Office for the Aging. In her spare time, she volunteered at Folts, Claxton Manor, and the Red Cross; served as a Girl Scout leader; and was an auxiliary member of American Legion Post #25 in Mohawk, New York. She was also President of the Herkimer City Insurance Women.

She is survived by her children, Gary McGraw of Wolf Creek, Oregon, and Gail McGraw of Wake Forest, South Carolina; her brother, Edward Holtz of Cattaraugus, New York; her grandchildren, Shawn (Suzanne) McGraw, Alyson (Jeremy) Snell, Anthony McGraw, Christopher (Angela) Hawkins, and Carolyn (Jeremy) Young; her great-grandchildren, Nicole McGraw, Joselyn McGraw, Emma McGraw, Tyler Young, Asher Young, Jared Young, Bailey Hawkins, Skyler Hawkins, John McGraw, Emilia Snell and great great grandson Noah Scarano; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her in-laws, Shirley Kraszewski, Barbara Garassion, Daniel Ferguson, and Harry (Darlene) Ferguson.

She was predeceased by her parents, Merrill and Lula; her husband, Gerald; and her sisters, Marion Petrie and Eleanor and brother Merrill Holtz.

A graveside service will be held at Mohawk Cemetery in the Village of Mohawk, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Gerald.

The family is being cared for by Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer, NY 13350.

Ruth would like to thank Harry and Darlene Ferguson, and Melissa and Anthony Swalz, for their years of care and compassion. She deeply appreciated all the help she received.

Ruth’s family would like to extend their thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of Valley Health Services for their dedicated care and compassion shown Ruth during her time there.