Obituary of Sister Ruth L. Kaltenbach

Sister Ruth L. Kaltenbach, OSF died October 24, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Born Ruth Kaltenback on September 4, 1908 in Jacksonville, Florida, she was a daughter of Adella Schoen Kaltenbach and Augustine Kaltenbach formerly of Jacksonville, FL. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on November 19, 1933; and professed her final religious vows on December 23, 1940. For 75 years, Sister Ruth faithfully lived the Mission and charism of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Her ministry in the area of health care began in 1934 at St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa, FL as a floor nurse and night supervisor and then work as a Pharmacist's Assistant. In 1940 Sr. Ruth served as floor nurse and night supervisor at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Brighton, MA, and that same year she moved to St. Anthony Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL as Director of Nurses. A position she held until 1966. After two years of study, Sister Ruth worked in the Medical Libraries of St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa, FL and St. Elizabeth Hospital, Tampa, FL. In 1971 Sister Ruth ministered at St. Anthony Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL in the physical therapy department and as a sister visitor. Sister Ruth next moved to St. Francis Hospital, Miami Beach, FL as Local Coordinator and hospital visitor. Semi retired in 1974, she worked as a nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, in Camden, NJ. Sister Ruth retired in 1975 to Grace House, Alden, NY. During her retirement, Sister Ruth lived and ministered at St. Francis Residence, Tampa, FL, St. Joseph Villa, Catskill, NY, and St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa, FL, and St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. Sister Ruth received her RN from St. Francis Hospital, Trenton, NJ. Sister Ruth was predeceased by her parents and her sisters Wilhemina, Mary Anne, Dorothy Foster and brothers Nelson and John. In addition to her Franciscan Sisters of Allegany her survivors include several nieces and cousins. A Wake Service is scheduled on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse at 4:00 PM on Monday, October 27, 2008. Interment will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.