Ruth Helen Duncanson

Ruth Helen (Kurz) Duncanson was born on September 22, 1928, in Owensboro, Kentucky and passed away on September 16, 2021. She was a 1949 R.N. graduate of St. Joseph Infirmary School of Nursing in Louisville, Kentucky and soon after, moved to Hawaii where she worked and also met her husband of 27 years, William (Bill) Duncanson. Together, they had eight beautiful children.

Nursing was her passion and caring for others was her gift. Her long career was proof of just this. She worked all over the United States including Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Rhode Island, and then finally settled at Michigan State University Olin Health Center, where she retired after 25 years in 1990.

Even after retiring, she continued to care for others. Whether it was participating in the Resurrection Altar Society, St. Gerard Respite Care, refugee services, Red Cross, or the Movin’ On Group, her calendar was always full. Ruth’s unwavering dedication to helping those in need stems from her strong faith; she will forever be remembered as a devoted woman of God. She also loved traveling abroad to places including Ireland, Italy, Nova scotia, Germany, Switzerland, Greece and all over the United States. When she wasn’t volunteering or traveling, she was perfecting a recipe – some would say she was arguably the best cook they knew – most famous for her spaghetti, strawberry rhubarb jelly, apple butter, Thanksgiving dressing and gravy, and Christmas heath. Some of her favorite guilty pleasures included having a martini on her porch and sneaking a piece (or two) of chocolate. But her most treasured time was when her girls just stopped over for coffee or happy hour or to drop off the grandchildren (but not for too long).

Ruth is preceded in death by her two sons, William James Jr. “Jimmy” and Michael Duncanson and daughter Lisa Fata.

She is survived by her brother Charles (Maureen) Kurz and her sister Millie Thompson. She is also survived by five of her eight greatest treasures, Jean “Missy” Mocek, Bev Duncanson, Cathy (Bob) Cole, Janet (Geoff) Sweetsir, Jill (Mike) Respecki, son-in-law Jerry Fata, and daughter-in-law Barb Duncanson. Ruth is also survived by 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and countless nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 23 from 5-6:30pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes Lansing Chapel, 900 East Michigan Ave. with the rosary prayed at 6:30. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Friday at St. Gerard Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Smile Train donate.smiletrain.org or St. Gerard Scholarship Fund.