Dr. Ruth Clair (Smith) Stacy

Ruth hailed from Pennington, N.J., located approximately seven miles from Princeton, N.J. She graduated from The University of Cincinnati where she met the love of her life, James E. Stacy (deceased – 2016) who graduated from the same university the year prior. They were married for 65 years. They brought up their first and only child, Richard in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Not long afterwards of that birth, the family was transferred to the Pitts-burgh, Pa., area and remained in that region until 1974. During that time, both James and Ruth were involved in the establishment of a church affiliated kindergarten school in the local community of their residence in Garden City, Monroeville, Pa. Ruth served as a part-time parish worker and secretary for that church until she enrolled in the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s graduate program and earned her master’s degree in counseling with honors. Her thesis topic included visitations to 14 church affiliated youth groups to research the concerns of youth participants within their programs and shared her findings with the local ministerium.

Following that educational achievement, Ruth began working within the Yough School District, Westmoreland County of Pennsylvania, as a guidance counselor for grades 7 and 8. Several years later, she transferred to the high school level of counseling and initiated several community service programs and home visitation efforts. Ruth continued her professional studies and in 1974 she became a supervisor and administrator with the Indiana Area School District of Indiana, Pa. During her tenure In Indiana, she served as president of the Mental Health Center, Youth Task Forces, president of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, and many other leadership capacities involving fami-lies in the community. She served as a member of the National College Board for six years and was recognized for that service. Her doctoral dissertation was completed and published in 1980. Ruth’s post-doctoral work was completed at Penn State University, main campus, in 1983. Other universities she attended were Boston University, Case Western Reserve University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Ruth Stacy was an experienced administrator in the public schools of Pennsylvania, and in the supervision of school guidance services. She held permanent certification in both the states of New York and Pennsylvania in school administration and supervision of school counselors. She was a National Certified Counselor and a National Certified School Counselor 04205. She was a key communicator for the Chautauqua Lake School District of Mayville, N.Y. She served as a counselor for the Westfield Counseling Service and was their past president.

Dr. Stacy transferred her letter from the Graystone Presbyterian Church of Indiana, Pa., to the Westfield Church in 1991. She was active in the Westfield church as a deaconess, elder, Heritage Committee chair, Personnel and Worship and Order Committee member. Ruth also was an alternate delegate to the 1999 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA.

Dr. Ruth Stacy was a life-long learner and sought her service to be as a Christian of the church, a dedicated and loyal member of her family, and always held the highest level of professionalism as an educational leader.

Ruth has given her remains to assist in the further advancements of medical study as a donor to the UB University at Buffalo, Anatomical Gift Pro-gram. At this time, a memorial for Ruth will be announced in the future when that can be arranged.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Dr. Ruth C. Stacy Counselor Scholarship Fund, established at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, www.nccfoundation.or