Mary A Ruther

Mary A. Ruther, 91, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026. Mary found her greatest joy in the company of her extensive loving family and friends. A longtime resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, she was born on September 16, 1934, in Watervliet, New York, to James J. Corbett and Mary L. Duffy.

A city girl at heart, Mary met Hank Ruther, a country gentleman and the love of her life, on the dance floor. They married on September 18, 1955, and shared nearly sixty-seven years of love and companionship. Together, they raised four children, grounded in Christian values.

Mary's life was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith. She was actively involved in every community where she lived—from Delanson, N.Y. to Sawkill, N.Y. to Colorado Springs, where they moved in 1978. At Holy Apostles Catholic Church, she served as a Eucharistic Minister and Sacristan at daily Mass. She contributed to the Religious Education program by teaching and helping children prepare for their First Communion. Mary completed and taught the Bethel Bible Study, was a Stephen Minister and an active member of the Martha and Mary’s group and the Golden Agers. She visited and brought communion to patients at Penrose Community Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, along with home-bound members of the church.

Mary and Hank shared a love of travel, exploring all fifty U.S. states, Canada, the Holy Land, and Europe. She especially enjoyed traveling to Ireland, since she was always so proud of her Irish heritage. Mary enjoyed camping, walking, playing Triominoes, singing Christian songs, and especially dancing with Hank.

Mary is survived by her daughters Karen (Stan) Robak; twins Christine (David) Russi and Cathleen (Stephen) Karaffa; her son James (Jan) Ruther; eight grandchildren—Jason (Kaley) Karaffa, Jamie Karaffa, Stephanie (Alex) Hammond, Bryan (Jessica) Russi, Kimberly (Nate) Ronsse, Gregory (Sarah) Russi, Matthew (Shayne) Robak, and Eric Robak; seven great-grandchildren—Keegan Karaffa, Haydon Hammond, Forrest Russi, Colbie, Merrick, and Silas Ronsse, and Jameson Wrather; her sister-in-law Kathleen Corbett; brother-in-law William (Margo) Ruther; numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry (Hank) Ruther; her parents James and Mary Corbett; twin grandchildren Caitlin Mary Karaffa and Kristin Anna Karaffa; sisters Marge Mlock, Alice Fiacco, and Rita Corbett; and brother James Corbett.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.