This article was in the paper today and I think it's even funnier than the obit, in some parts.

Obituary pokes fun, raises toast

Ruth Rencevicz joins family to tell happy tale

By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Friday, Sep 12, 2008

Not everyone is endowed with a playful sense of humor as was Ruth E. (Sechrist) Rencevicz, whose highly entertaining classified obituary appeared in Wednesday's Beacon Journal.

And not everyone has a family like Mrs. Rencevicz's, willing to follow through on her wishes ''to keep it light.''

But they did.

The reason? All of her six children managed to inherit their mother's uncanny sense of humor. ''It's genetic. Her [comedic] DNA was passed straight to us,'' said her son Bernie Rencevicz of Union County, Ohio.

''The obituary was actually a group effort,'' he said, adding that it was designed to be a happy reflection on a life well lived by the 81-year-old Tallmadge woman.

And that it was.

''The best in the history of obits,'' a Beacon Journal colleague said of the nonfuneral death notice.

Consider this double-take introductory line:

''Ruth E. Rencevicz, born Ruth Elizabeth Sechrist on Aug. 28, 1927, passed away on September 7, 2008, due to complications resulting from her children making her old before her time.''

Ironically, Bernie Rencevicz added, his mother regained consciousness hours before she died, and not only approved the obituary the family had put together, but also gave them ''some ideas on how to make it even funnier,'' Bernie Rencevicz said. ''That was so typical of her personality.''

The obituary continued: ''Over the years, in addition to her regular jobs as a full-time mom and a switchboard operator at both Sears and BFG Federal Credit Union, Ruth also served her country as a covert spy for the Central Intelligence Agency, where during the Cold War she was largely responsible for the breakup of the Soviet Union near the end of the 20th century. At least, that's the way she told it.''

And there's this:

''Although born in Hammondsville, Ohio, Ruth enjoyed summering in Greenwich, Conn., where she loved drinking Fresca with Absolut Ruby Red vodka, and stalking Peter Jennings and Jack Black . . .

''Ruth was adamant that people use the occasion of her passing to remember and celebrate her life. In lieu of formal funeral proceedings or viewing hours, she requested that those who remember and cared about her share both a special memory and a drink in her honor. Preferably Bud Light Lime, or if that's not available, gasoline or floor wax.''

Ruth Rencevicz, who had resided in Cuyahoga Falls since 1965, retired to North Carolina, but moved back to Tallmadge nearly 10 years ago.

She was diagnosed about a year ago with emphysema, and three weeks ago with leukemia. She took her diagnosis and cancer battle in stride — just as she did everything else in life.

And Mrs. Rencevicz — she with the LOL attitude — continued to do the unimaginable, always finding the magic, pointing out the good in others, insisting on viewing the glass as half full, not half empty. Refusing to take life too seriously, knowing that you're never going to get out of it alive anyway.

''She got along with everybody,'' her son said. ''And she taught us if we have to deal with difficult situations and people to always approach them with humor. You'd be surprised at how far that would get you. It's a lesson that's stuck with us all our lives.''

Apparently, it's one that's catching on with hundreds of the Beacon Journal and Ohio.com readers.

At this writing, the guest book accompanying her obituary was an incredible 16 pages long.

''I've read all of them and have yet to recognize a single name,'' her son said in amazement.

He seemed to take great comfort in knowing that even strangers appreciated her spirit and her contagious joie de vivre — joy of life.

Ruth Rencevicz seemed the perfect model for the popular Jenny Joseph poem When I Am An Old Woman, I Shall Wear Purple:

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

Read the obituary for Ruth E. (Sechrist) Rencevicz
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.



Not everyone is endowed with a playful sense of humor as was Ruth E. (Sechrist) Rencevicz, whose highly entertaining classified obituary appeared in Wednesday's Beacon Journal.

And not everyone has a family like Mrs. Rencevicz's, willing to follow through on her wishes ''to keep it light.''

But they did.

The reason? All of her six children managed to inherit their mother's uncanny sense of humor. ''It's genetic. Her [comedic] DNA was passed straight to us,'' said her son Bernie Rencevicz of Union County, Ohio.

''The obituary was actually a group effort,'' he said, adding that it was designed to be a happy reflection on a life well lived by the 81-year-old Tallmadge woman.

And that it was.

''The best in the history of obits,'' a Beacon Journal colleague said of the nonfuneral death notice.

Consider this double-take introductory line:

''Ruth E. Rencevicz, born Ruth Elizabeth Sechrist on Aug. 28, 1927, passed away on September 7, 2008, due to complications resulting from her children making her old before her time.''

Ironically, Bernie Rencevicz added, his mother regained consciousness hours before she died, and not only approved the obituary the family had put together, but also gave them ''some ideas on how to make it even funnier,'' Bernie Rencevicz said. ''That was so typical of her personality.''

The obituary continued: ''Over the years, in addition to her regular jobs as a full-time mom and a switchboard operator at both Sears and BFG Federal Credit Union, Ruth also served her country as a covert spy for the Central Intelligence Agency, where during the Cold War she was largely responsible for the breakup of the Soviet Union near the end of the 20th century. At least, that's the way she told it.''

And there's this:

''Although born in Hammondsville, Ohio, Ruth enjoyed summering in Greenwich, Conn., where she loved drinking Fresca with Absolut Ruby Red vodka, and stalking Peter Jennings and Jack Black . . .

''Ruth was adamant that people use the occasion of her passing to remember and celebrate her life. In lieu of formal funeral proceedings or viewing hours, she requested that those who remember and cared about her share both a special memory and a drink in her honor. Preferably Bud Light Lime, or if that's not available, gasoline or floor wax.''

Ruth Rencevicz, who had resided in Cuyahoga Falls since 1965, retired to North Carolina, but moved back to Tallmadge nearly 10 years ago.

She was diagnosed about a year ago with emphysema, and three weeks ago with leukemia. She took her diagnosis and cancer battle in stride — just as she did everything else in life.

And Mrs. Rencevicz — she with the LOL attitude — continued to do the unimaginable, always finding the magic, pointing out the good in others, insisting on viewing the glass as half full, not half empty. Refusing to take life too seriously, knowing that you're never going to get out of it alive anyway.

''She got along with everybody,'' her son said. ''And she taught us if we have to deal with difficult situations and people to always approach them with humor. You'd be surprised at how far that would get you. It's a lesson that's stuck with us all our lives.''

Apparently, it's one that's catching on with hundreds of the Beacon Journal and Ohio.com readers.

At this writing, the guest book accompanying her obituary was an incredible 16 pages long.

''I've read all of them and have yet to recognize a single name,'' her son said in amazement.

He seemed to take great comfort in knowing that even strangers appreciated her spirit and her contagious joie de vivre — joy of life.