The Merritt Family and Friends

The Ruthie Merritt Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Ruthie Merritt. Ms. Merritt was a former employee of Monroe County Community College who succumbed to cancer on January 17, 2000.

Ruthie was born the only girl out of eight children. She was a 1972 graduate of Erie Mason Consolidated School and a 1991 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Monroe County Community College. Ruthie held family dear and kept them close, especially her only child, Cindy Hall.

Ruthie started her career working for her brother, Jack Laderach, at his wood stove business, JC Enterprises. She also worked for Monroe Bank & Trust. But, her last and most favorite job was working for Monroe County Community College. There is where she made lifetime true friends of the most unbelievable kind. These friends were with her and stood by her until she lost her battle with cancer.

She also volunteered at her church, Erie Presbyterian and was a member of the Luna Pier Fire Department Auxiliary.

“My mother believed in continuing education throughout your life. Not just for a degree, but she believed in learning as much as you can”, said Cindy. She was known to tackle any job, with manual in hand, whether it was plumbing, electrical, gardening, or computers. She was determined to learn.