Ruth J. Cushman, 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away at home Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013.

She was born June 21, 1928, in Tarrytown, N.Y., to Edmund and Ida Johnson.

Ruth had been a resident of Port Charlotte since 1985, coming from Irvington, N.Y. Mrs. Cushman worked as an Assistant Business Manager for the Board of Education in Irvington from 1959 to 1985. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, as well as being active with First United Methodist Church of Punta Gorda, Fla. Ruth’s passion was volunteering and helping others, she received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the Presidents Council on Service and Civic Participation. Some of her favorite organizations she volunteered with were Charlotte Regional Medical Center, The Floridians and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Mrs. Cushman was also on the Board of Directors of the Charlotte County Historical Center. Ruth could always be spotted helping at the Festival of Trees at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, Fla.; Frontier Day at the candle-dipping workshop; or lending a hand at the youth summer and vacation camp at the historical center.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Gail McBride; sister, Esther Rees; brother, Victor Johnson; and granddaughters, Kelly and Kerry-Kate McBride.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, 2230 Hariet St., Port Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Attn. Tribute Department, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Habitat for Humanity, 1750 Manzana Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.

Arrangements were made in Port Charlotte.