Ruth Armstrong

Ruth Lee (Eichhorn) Armstrong passed away on March 10, 2018 at the Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland, MD. Ruth's recently departed husband Jack, our numbers guy, had been counting the days until they could again be partners. Ruth was also predeceased by her two brothers, Martin and August Eichhorn; brother and sister-in-law, Herbert and Mary Lee Armstrong; brother-in-law Earl Shaffer; and her much-loved and outgoing son-in-law, Donald Townsend. Born June 1, 1928 and raised in Lonaconing, Ruth was the daughter of Martin and Agnes (Cook) Eichhorn. Never one to be idle, Ruth spent her summers on Oak St. in south Cumberland with her Aunt Jay and cousin Martha “Marty” Campbell. After graduating from Central High School in 1946, Ruth worked at the Tea Room and Rosenbaum's in downtown Cumberland. She accepted a position with Columbia Gas before marrying Jack in August of 1949. Ruth and Jack “set up housekeeping” above Parise's Drug Store on Main St. in Frostburg. With the help of family and friends, they eventually purchased ground and built their “forever home” on the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Barnard. The living room sported a small wooden desk that soon became the “office” of the Armstrong Insurance Agency. Ruth, a licensed agent, directed the household activities and manned the phones for 25 years while Jack taught math at Beall High. Upon Jack's “retirement,” the Ruth-Jack insurance partnership truly flourished. The gracious lady and her gentleman worked together while playing together, both happy to enjoy their family, their community, their travels, and most recently, their adventures at the Rocky Gap Resort and Casino. The daughter of a coal miner, Ruth inherited her mother's ability to whip up a great meal with ease. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and the Soroptimist International of Frostburg. She firmly believed that women helping women does indeed create a better world. She loved to play cards and she cherished her numerous card club friends. Ruth is survived by her daughter Robin Townsend, of Keymar, and her son and daughter-in-law, Barb and Slug Armstrong, of Frostburg. As a parent, Ruth gently guided her children to find happiness and success in life. She championed the phrase “don't sweat the little things.” As a grandmother to J.C. and Rachel, nothing fell through the cracks; she never missed a gig, a game, a graduation, or the opportunity to slip a few bucks into their pocket. Ruth's sister and brother-in-law, Peach and Marvin Llewellyn of Lonaconing, her sister-in-law, JoAnn Eichhorn of Millersville, and her sister-in-law Betty Shaffer of Ashburn, VA will attest to the fact that Ruth was the instigator who could always giggle at herself and find a way to brighten every moment. Ruth's numerous nieces and nephews often found a few extra bucks in their pockets, too. Her wonderful friends, neighbors, and caregivers, Scott and Phai Johnson, have forever earned the Armstrong family's intense love and respect. The family invites you to visit with them on Tuesday, March 13, from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Sowers Funeral Home, 60 West Main St., Frostburg. Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, March 14, at the Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to St. Paul's