In Memory of

Ruth

P.

Vincent

Obituary for Ruth P. Vincent

Ruth P. Vincent, 96, formerly of Five Mile Point and Redford Twp., Michigan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Portage Pointe in Hancock on March 31, 2014.
She was born in Hancock on March 13, 1918 to Maria and Jacob Ojala.
Ruth was a graduate of Calumet High School, Class of 1936. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University in 1942 and taught home economics in the Detroit Public School System for 25 years. She loved teaching and experimenting with new ways to prepare foods. Her family was her test panel.
During World War II, she joined the Navy shortly after completing her first year of teaching and was commissioned a WAVE officer. Ruth received special training in communications and was stationed in Seattle where she served as a codebreaker. There, she received a security clearance and was required to carry a sidearm with which she was able to hit a bull’s eye. She left the Navy, as a Lieutenant, in 1945. Ruth was a member of the Michigan Unit of the WAVES National.
Ruth married William Clarence Vincent on April 22, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. He preceded her in death in 1996.
She and her husband were charter members of the First Presbyterian Church of Farmington in Farmington Hills, Michigan and members of the Community Church of Calumet, both of which they were active in. They returned to the Copper Country each summer where they leased the Copper Harbor Lighthouse as a summer home and later had a cottage on Lac La Belle for many years. When she retired in 1981, they returned to the Copper Country and made their home at Five Mile Point. Ruth was a Life member of the Keweenaw County Historical Society and enjoyed working as a volunteer at the society’s museum at the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband; five sisters, Ellen Weidelman, Elvera Barnhart, Irma Lorrie, Tecla Perry, and Virginia Ardus; five brothers, Rudy Ojala, Arthur Ojala, Arnold Ojala, William Ojala, and Daniel Ojala.
She is survived by her children, Betsi Arend of Eagle River, MI and William M. Vincent of Farmington Hills, MI; five grandchildren, Adam (Olga) Arend, Brandon Arend, Summer Arend, William J. Vincent, and Emma Vincent, two great-grandchildren, Addison Arend, and Nicholette Arend, and numerous nieces and nephews.
At the wishes of the deceased, there will be no visitation. A celebration of Ruth’s life is being planned for this summer.
Condolences may be sent to 5102 4th St., Eagle River, MI 49950.
The Erickson-Crowley-Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.