MIDDLEVILLE Ruth Smith, age 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 15, 2012, in her home. She was born in Betula, PA, the daughter of the late John and Laura (Keenan) Smith. The family moved to Salisbury Center in 1915 and they were longtime residents of that village. Ruths early education was in the newly built four-room Salisbury Center grade school. The excellent teachers she met there particularly a Miss Glennie Near influenced her decision to enter the field of teaching. She was a graduate of Dolgeville High School class of 1929 and soon entered the Canajoharie Teachers Training class. For ten years she taught in area rural one-room schools. She continued her education at Potsdam and received her diploma. She accepted a teaching position at West Canada Valley Central School as a member of the Elementary staff. Later she received a BS Degree in education from Syracuse University and continued teaching until her retirement. Ruth had a very happy and busy retirement. She was an avid reader, enjoyed scrabble and was a good player. The New York Times crossword puzzle book was always near her chair. In fine weather she enjoyed her daily walk and would start out, field glasses around her neck and come home with a handful of wildflowers (or weeds), get out her sketch book and make a meticulous drawing of each find and then get out the Petersons Field Guide and write in the name. In winter she loved to snowshoe and would help to make the rounds to keep our bird feeders filled. For years she was a member of the local Audubon Bird Club, the Salisbury Covered Bridge Herb and Garden Club and the Salisbury Historical Society. Many happy hours were spent sorting and cataloging its varied and interesting acquisitions. Most of all she enjoyed visiting and corresponding with her family and friends. On her fathers side she was descended through her grandmother Rachel Campbell Smith from ancestors who fought in the American Revolution. On her mothers side she was a descendent of the Keenan family. Her grandfather Pierce and brothers William and Charles lived in Canada and sailed the Great Lakes in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Later Pierce left Canada and moved his family to Pennsylvania. Besides her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her brother Lowell, sister Wilma Jarrett and nephew William Heisig. She is survived by a much loved family: a sister, Cora of Herkimer, sister-in-law, June of Hadley, two nieces, Elizabeth Heisig and husband Charles of West Rush, Carol Smith of Monmouth, NJ, a nephew Robert and wife Linda also of NJ. She also leaves dearly loved great and great grand nieces and nephews, Laurel Heisig, Sharon and Dan Gress and their children Iaan, Andrew and Rachael; Williams family, Laura, Eric and Jessica Heisig as well as Christopher and Dina Heisig and daughter Lucia Genevieve. Ruth will be missed by all of her family for she was such a large part of it for ninety-nine years. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Ruths memory can be made to The Salisbury Center Methodist Church, 2545 State Rte. 29, Salisbury Center, NY 13454 or the West Canada Valley School Scholarship Fund, 5447 State Rte 28, Newport, NY 13416. Funeral arrangements are with Fenner Funeral Home Inc., Herkimer.