ALBANY – Ruth E. Olsen Delamater, 95, of Albany, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2022 at St. Peter’s Hospital. Ruth was born in Staten Island and raised in the Bronx. She was the daughter of the late Carl A. Olsen and Catherine E. Corrigan Olsen. She moved to the Capital District with her husband after World War II. She was a communicant of All Saints Catholic Church and the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church, and was employed for many years as a teaching assistant at Westmere Elementary School and Christ the King School. She enjoyed spending summers at her family home on Copake Lake, and she was known for the beautiful paintings she created, mostly of landscapes.
Ruth was beloved by all who knew her as the person to go to to feel better. Her door was always open and phone was always on so you could sit with her or talk to her. No matter what was happening in her world, it stopped so that she could make you the most important part of her day in that moment. Her gentle demeanor, soft heart, warm smile and caring responses were cherished by all that were blessed to have met her. She listened without judgement or bias and whomever she spoke to walked away feeling better about anything that life was handing them. We are all better people for having her in our lives.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband Mark A. Delamater. She is survived by her daughters Carol Young (Carl) of Albany, Maryann Ten Eyck (Ron Chinski) of Schenectady, and Susanne Witkop (Jerry) of Albany; her grandchildren Rachel Young, Andrew Ten Eyck (Shiloh Watford), Michelle Miles (Randy Rabine), Joshua Witkop (Rachel), and Sean and Matthew Witkop; her great grandchildren Takota Ten Eyck, Alyssa, Casey, and Bram Miles, and Milo Witkop; her nieces and nephews and her good friend/niece, Linda Ferrante. She was predeceased by her two brothers and her sister.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Thursday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St. (behind CVS), at 9:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Thursday morning at 11:30 a.m. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
This is a video tribute to Ruth:
Katherine Gariti
From the time I was very young to now being an older adult I have always cherished my relationship with my Aunt Ruth. She had a kindly, engaging manner. Peter and I always enjoyed the time we spent with her, in person and on the phone. It was also nice to see beloved she was by her immediate family. We will miss her very much.
Katherine and Peter Gariti