Meredith “Mitzi” Ann Ruff, 76, of Ruff Lane, Mill Spring, died Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Landrum, S.C.

Mitzi was born in Bronx, N.Y. She was the daughter of the late James and Teryce (Reynolds) Whalen. She was the wife of Jesse G. Ruff for 36 years before his passing in 2005.

Mitzi was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church since 1963, where she taught Sunday School (CCD), second grade, for 33 years preparing students for the sacraments of Penance of First Holy Communion. She chaperoned for St. John’s youth pilgrimage to Rome for World Youth Day 2000 with Pope John Paul II. Mitzi worked for Milliken for 36 years before retiring in 2004. She enjoyed playing bingo and cooking for her family.   She was a great wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her son, Craig Hunt, and brothers, Jay, Thomas, Richard, and Gerard Whalen.

Surviving are her sons, Mark G. Hunt of Mill Spring, N.C., and Stephen J. Ruff of Miami, Fla.; brother, Anthony Whalen (Judy) of The Villages, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Joan Whalen Toth of Manchester, N.J., Rita Ruff of Mill Spring, N.C., and Gladys Melton of Rutherfordton, N.C.; brother-in-law, Bill Ruff (Judy) of Mill Spring, N.C.; nephews, Phillip Ruff (Joy) and Rick Ruff (Margie) both of Mill Spring, N.C.; various other family, including nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 7 at 1 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 180 Laurel Ave, Tryon, NC 28782, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at McFarland Funeral Chapel, 54 McFarland Drive, Tryon, NC 28782.   Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, N.C.

An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.