Mary Ruth (Walsh) Falta

FALTA, Mary Ruth nee Walsh, age 88 of Centerville, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at her residence. Mary Ruth was born on October 11, 1935 in Otway, Ohio, to the late James and Edna Simon Walsh. She was also preceded in death by her husband Jerry Falta. She is survived by her brother, Joe (Pat) Walsh, and many nieces and nephews.

Upon the death of Mary’s father in 1941, she and the rest of her family moved to West Portsmouth. In the process of growing up, Mary lived in the country. And in so doing, she had responsibility of helping with the daily chores. Feeding the chickens and pigs, milking the cow, and picking apples, cherries and other fruit grown on the farm.

Mary began her education by attending St. Mary’s School in Portsmouth. She continued her education there and graduated from Notre Dame high School in 1953. Mary attended Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati and then returned to Portsmouth where she attended business college. As a result of her schooling and her natural secretarial skills, Mary became well known as a highly qualified secretary.

By 1963, Mary and the rest of the Walsh family had moved to Dayton and she continued her secretarial career including as a legal secretary. Along the way, Mary had the good fortune to meet Jerry Falta who worked at General Electric as an Engineer. Mary said when she met Jerry that she had “met the love of her life”. Apparently, Jerry felt the same way as they were married in 1986 in Dayton.

Mary and Jerry resided in Centerville during their married life. During those years, because travel was activity they both enjoyed, they spent a great deal of time vacationing and camping. Sadly, Jerry passed away in 2011. This was probably the saddest period in Mary’s life. Over time, Mary was able to work around her loss and find happiness. She has remained close to Jerry’s children and continued to treat them as her own.

Mary had a special love for her nieces and nephews. Foremost were nieces Joyce Dillon and Kay Morgan and nephew Brian Baker.

In addition, Mary had a very special friend, Judy Marquis, with whom they shared a life long friendship from the time they were 9 years old.

The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2024 at the Church of the Incarnation, 7415 Far Hills Ave., Centerville, Ohio 45459, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Burial will take place on Saturday, June 29th, at St. Patrick Cemetery, Otway, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.