Ruth E. Pohutsky

Ruth Evelyn Pohutsky, age 91, of Shelby Township, Michigan passed away January 10, 2018. Ruth was the daughter of Earl and Molly Keithley. She is predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Arthur J. Pohutsky, her son, John Arthur and daughter Ann. Her daughters Meri (Chesterfield, MI) and Sarah Pohutsky and Sarah's partner, Gerrard Willaert (Shelby Twp., MI), survive her. Her grandchildren are Molly and Nick Magnotte (Clinton Twp., MI), Shannon Willaert and Ben Hopkins (Goldston, NC), Morgan (Denver, CO) and Darcy Hofmann (Somerville, MA), Amy (Hamtramck, MI) and Chisholm Willaert and his partner Bianca (Clinton Twp., MI). Her great grandchildren are Jackson, Charlotte, Ruby and Jameson Magnotte; Oliver and Evelyn Hopkins; ages four months to nine years old. Ruth was born in Flint Michigan; however, she spent most of her early life in the tiny town of Ponce de Leon, Missouri. She identified as a poor girl from the Ozarks with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes. She was the youngest of four, losing her brother Neil, and sisters Clara Belle and Fern many years ago. She was stubborn, determined and smart, graduating high school at age 16. From a very young age, her aspiration was to become a nurse. Ruth was a proud registered nurse, securing her degree from St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit and lifetime member of the American Nurses Association. She served as a pediatric nurse at St. Mary's and in the Nurse Cadet Corps during World War II. Art Pohutsky fell in love with Ruth's red hair at first sight and they were married on November 4, 1950 during one of the worst snowstorms in Detroit for November. Thereafter, she said, it always snows before November 4th. She became an avid bridge player, was a life master and a long term member of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). She also played poker with her women bridge friends weekly for more than 50 years. She loved travel and saw a lot of the world and most of the United States by ship, auto, plane and for decades in motorhomes. Her trips included the Mediterrean, China, Japan, South America, Australia, New Zealand Alaska and Tahiti. She hosted many parties in her Shelby Township home -- weddings, reunions, showers and graduation events. She called all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren her favorites, loving all of her family, extended family and family of friends. To them, she was Granny. Relatives and many friends call her Aunt Ruth. She always had animals and leaves behind her faithful Sammy (poodle) and two cats. Those of us who knew her knew she always spoke her mind and we knew exactly where we stood with her - usually with fierce love, support and help. We celebrate and thank God for Ruth Pohutsky. Visitation at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 Blks E. of Van Dyke), Utica, Tuesday 5-9 pm and Wednesday 2-9 pm with a prayer service at 7pm. Thursday she will lie in state at 10:30 am until time of her Funeral Mass at 11 am at St. Kieran Catholic Church, 53600 Mound Road, Shelby Twp, MI. Burial Resurrection Cemetery. Clinton Twp, MI. Family request donations to Capuchins, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207. Please share a memory at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com

Ruth E. Pohutsky

February 11, 1926 - January 10, 2018