Obituary of Ruth N. Cornish

Westport, Conn.

Ruth Nevins Cornish of Westport died July 10 at home. She was 90. 

Born Nov. 14, 1926, in Bridgeport, she was the third and youngest daughter of the late Louise Schneider Nevins and Richard Nevins. She graduated from Staples High School in 1944 and the University of Connecticut in 1948.

After graduation, she worked on Madison Avenue in New York City, leaving her career for family pursuits.  

She married the late Dayton Andrew (“Doc”) Cornish, from whom she later divorced, in 1960 at Christ & Holy Trinity Church in Westport, and remained a devoted member of that parish until her death.

Later in life, she volunteered as a reading specialist at Saugatuck Elementary and returned to the workforce, where she was employed by the Westport Board of Education, as a school secretary at Coleytown Elementary School and the executive assistant to the superintendent of schools.

She enjoyed kayaking and clamming at Compo Beach in her active years, and passed her love of the shore and the mountains on to her children, ensuring that they had the opportunity to learn to sail and ski.  

She was an avid Red Sox fan, who additionally followed her grandchildren’s athletic and musical endeavors with great interest.  

Predeceased by daughter Andrea, and her sister Virginia Hermann, she is survived by her children Heidi (Robert) McGee of Westport, and Andrew (Sara VanGenderen) Cornish of Jackson, Wyoming; grandchildren Jack Cornish, Sally McGee, Andie Cornish, Gus McGee and Delaney McGee; sister Frances (Lawrence) Maddock of Epping, New Hampshire, and nieces and a nephew and their families.

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017, Ruth will be laid to rest in the family plot here at Willowbrook Cemetery.  

Donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to the Westport EMS, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880, in appreciation of their patient and professional response to Ruth’s needs over recent years.

The Harding Funeral Home of Westport is directing arrangements.