Ruth Virginia (Hokinson) Opaluch

Ruth Virginia (Hokinson) Opaluch, RN, 94, in Pawtucket, passed away on October 2nd.  Ruth enjoyed a long, happy life and died peacefully at home in her sleep. She was the wife of the late Edward Frank Opaluch, and the daughter the late Ernest and Anna Christina (Anderson) Hokinson. Although born in Seekonk, MA, Ruth was a lifelong resident of Pawtucket.

In her younger years, Ruth enjoyed ice skating and dancing. She often ice skated in the late afternoons/after school on the duckpond near the Slater Park boat house with neighborhood friends and danced at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. She was a 1943 graduate of Pawtucket East/Tolman High School, and a 1946 graduate of the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing. Except for a hiatus raising her children, Ruth worked as an RN at Rhode Island Hospital, where she was known for her calm demeanor.  She retired from the nursing profession in 1988. 

Ruth enjoyed travelling and had the opportunity to travel quite a bit during her life. When her family was young, she endured camping vacations with her husband and children in New England, New York state, and Canada. In her later years, she traveled across the United States with friends, which enabled her to see the Grand Canyon, one of her goals. In addition, she travelled abroad visiting Germany, France and Greece. While she enjoyed all her experiences, her most significant trip was to her dream destination of Greece.

Ruth leaves her children, Robert Opaluch of Pawtucket; James Opaluch and his wife, Cindy, of Wakefield; Thomas Opaluch of Austin, TX; Nancy Bushy and her husband, Dean, of Providence; and her grandchildren, Danielle Barry, Gregory Bushy, Mark Bushy and Ian Opaluch. She also leaves six great-grandchildren: Jackson, Ava, Jonathan, Logan, Hayden and Maddox. In addition, she leaves a sister-in-law, Helena Hokinson, three nieces, a nephew, a grandniece and grandnephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Ernest Hokinson of Buffalo, NY.

Mrs. Opaluch’s funeral will be Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Darlington Congregational Church, 685 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861, at 11:00 AM. Calling hours will be at the church beginning at 10:00 AM. Her burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to Darlington Congregational Church.