By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
GREENVILLE — When Greenville resident Ruth Tompkins was born, Calvin Coolidge was president.
She lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and the Vietnam War, but she also saw the advent of the television, computers, the moon landing, smartphones and now driverless cars.
Last weekend, Ruth celebrated a milestone few achieve when she turned 100 years old.
Her family first enjoyed a small private celebration, and then hosted an event at Country Estates so everyone could share in the festivities.
“We were at Red’s (Restaurant) for a family event, about 10 of us, and today we are having an open house to let people come in and say hello to her and congratulate her,” Tompkins’ niece, Paula Purcell, said.
Ruth Tompkins was born on a farm in New Baltimore on Nov. 22, 1924. She later moved to the village of Ravena in Albany County and lived there from around 1947 to 1975, and then purchased a home in Greenville, where she has lived ever since, according to her nephew, Bill Bailey.
“There were three sisters and she is the last surviving sister,” Bailey said of his aunt. “Ruth didn’t have any children. She has six nieces and nephews, and we have been a very tight group. Every holiday since I was born I have spent with Ruth — every Thanksgiving, every Easter, every Christmas.”
The family was especially close because two brothers married two of the sisters, and their cousin married the third sister, “so that really makes a core family,” Bailey said.
Throughout her lifetime, Ruth has been active in her community. While living in Ravena, in a home she and her husband built at the top of Martin’s Hill, she was involved in the development of Coeymans Landing Park, in addition to a number of organizations in the community, Bailey said.
After she moved to Greenville, Ruth was especially involved in volunteering with the Greenville Public Library and the Greenville Republican Party, among other activities. In fact, Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-102, was one of the guests at her birthday party at Country Estates.
“Ruth is a legend in Greenville and in the Greenville Republican Party, so it was only right that we did something like this for her,” Tague said. “She is a strong supporter of both myself and Pete Lopez, when Pete was the assemblyman. The first time I ever met Ruth was actually when I was helping Pete with his Assembly campaign and we met with the town of Greenville Republicans, and of course Ruth was front and center.”
In addition to her volunteer work in politics and at the library — which she still does to this day — Ruth got involved in art around age 40. Some of her work was on display at the birthday party.
So, how does someone get to become an active centenarian?
“I don’t have a secret except I like to read,” Ruth said with a smile. “I read a lot. And I’m happy being in my own home, by myself.”
She continues to live alone with an aide coming over a few hours a week to lend her a hand, Bailey said. But other than that, Ruth remains independent.
And her winning spirit hasn’t waned one bit.
“She is very nice — she is intelligent and nice and has been very supportive to the whole family,” Bailey said. “She was like another set of parents for us six nieces and nephews.”
“She is just a very nice aunt,” Bailey added. “I’m 74, and I still get presents from her on my birthday, and all the rest of the nieces and nephews do as well.”