Ruth Stevens (2022)

Ruth grew up the oldest of five sisters at the Thompson House, a resort in Windham, NY. After college, she taught in Greenville, met and married Pierce W. Stevens, and in 1952, they purchased the Vanderbilt home on South Street. Together, they realized their vision of Greenville Arms, creating an ideal home and family business, a gathering place for people from all over the world. Visitors noted that a welcome from Ruth resonated for a lifetime. Family, faith, education, and community were paramount values and service was central in her life. Described as “the minister to the ministers,” Ruth supported the work of five pastors accepting countless leadership roles in the Methodist Church. She cooked and baked for church suppers and fairs and delivered innumerable boxes of Christmas cookies to neighbors. She was attuned to the village of Greenville and, given an opportunity to assist, she always responded. She supported GCS as PTA chair, and for years never missed a ball game or music concert. For decades, Ruth taught 4H cooking and baking in the inn kitchen. As employer, Ruth guided many young people to develop work ethic and life skills, and to experience pride in a job well-done. During quiet winter months, Ruth turned to study and travel. In the mid-1960s, she visited the South Pacific, a challenge at that time, later broadening others’ knowledge by speaking to local groups. Ruth Stevens lived with strength, courage, love and great joy, modeling daily how to live a life that matters. She was born in 2917 and passed away in 1980.

 - written by Ruth’s daughters