Ruth M Banasiewicz

Ruth was the beloved Mother of the late Gloria (Hughes), Tommy (Beverly), Kenneth (Marsha), Jennifer (Brian), and Scott (Sue). She was adored by her grandchildren Holly Jones, Susannah Beard, Tara Anderson, Emily Cary, Katie Banasiewicz, Anna Banasiewicz, Sara Banasiewicz, Matthew Veit, Joseph Veit, Tia Leisenring, and Brianna Snyder. Ruth is further survived by seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by John; her husband of 64 years, their daughter Gloria, their son-in-law Hughes, her parents, and her siblings.

She was a kind and gentle woman who will be very much missed.

Born February 12, 1925 near Grenada, Mississippi to Perry and Irma McMahan, Ruth’s life epitomized the journey of the Greatest Generation. She grew up on a small farm, one of nine children. When not performing chores, she enjoyed school and was an avid basketball player. In 1943 the path of her life was forever altered when, while clerking at a small shop in Grenada, a young soldier stationed at nearby Camp McCain chatted her up. A relationship developed and she eventually wed John Banasiewicz of Youngstown, Ohio. The newlyweds had a short time together before he was alerted for movement to Europe. Following the war, they were reunited and with their young daughter moved to Youngstown and then to Hopkinsville, Kentucky where she and John raised their five children. Besides running the household, she kept the books for John’s dental laboratory business and was an active parishioner at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Parish. Ruth was an accomplished seamstress. A renowned cook, every summer she could be found canning produce and making preserves. With retirement, she and John moved to Nashville. Ruth enjoyed travelling, and held fond memories of road trips to Youngstown and Grenada, an audience with Pope St John Paul II in Rome, seeing the Grand Canyon, and visiting New England and Washington DC. During her final years she resided at The Manor at Steeplechase in Franklin, where she cultivated many friendships. Faith and family were the centerpieces of her well-lived life.

Visitation will begin 10 a.m., Friday, January 24th at Holy Family Catholic Church, Brentwood with a Funeral Mass following at 11 a.m. Interment will be 1 p.m. on Monday, January 27th at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville.

Memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Charity, 2216 State St, Nashville, TN 37203 or to Sacred Heart Southern Mission, 6050 Hwy 161 N, Wells, MS 38686.

The family is very thankful and appreciative of the superb care provided to Ruth by the staff of The Reserve of Spring Hill.