Ruth Wilcox Cruise, 97, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2017 at Hospice House. She was born on January 7, 1920 in Albany, NY, daughter of George and Ruth Tavender Wilcox. As a child Ruth lived with her family in France, Italy, Switzerland and Lebanon. She earned a B.S. in Education from Youngstown College (now Youngstown State University), a B.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley, and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology also from U.C. Berkeley. She returned to Youngstown permanently in 1970. Mrs. Cruise served as an air traffic controller and licensed pilot in the United States Navy during World War II while stationed in Hawaii. Later she worked as a counselor/teacher for the California Youth Authority in Stockton. After returning to Youngstown, she worked as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and then supervisor of the Adult Outpatient Department at Parkview Counseling Center before retiring in 1999. Ruth was a member of the American Association of University Women and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed poetry, classical music and was an avid reader. She leaves to cherish her memory, her granddaughter, Margaret W. Hughes of Newark, CA; 2 nieces, 2 nephews and 6 great nieces and nephews. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, April Cruise and two brothers, George and Churchill Wilcox. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6 from 10-11 a.m. at Tod Homestead Cemetery in Youngstown. Material contributions in Ruth's memory can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104. Arrangements are being handled by the Kelley-Robb-Cummins Funeral Home. Please visit www.krcummins.com to view this obituary and to send condolences to the family.