Ruth Mary Shokoff

She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Dr. James Shokoff of Fredonia; her daughter Elisa Shokoff of New York City; her son Christopher Shokoff and daughter in-law Elizabeth (Juelke) Shokoff of Hillsbrough, New Jersey, and four grandchildren whom she loved more then words can express: Meghan Shokoff, Michael Shokoff, Katherine Ruth Shokoff, and William Shokoff, all of Hillsborough, New Jersey. She is also survived by her brother, the Reverend John A. Collins and sister-in-law Dr. Sheila D. Collins of New Rochelle, New York and her nieces Dr. Megan Collins of New York City and Dr. Jennifer Collins of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Ruth earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in art and education at the University

of Iowa, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to earn her Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Buffalo, and studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the New School for Social Research in New York City.

An Accomplished printmaker, Ruth was the youngest artist chosen to exhibit her work in the 1962 Annual National Print Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum.

Throughout her career, her work was exhibited in shows at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery; the Burchfield Penney Art Center; the Cooperstown Art Association Galleries; the National Arts Club of New York City; Mount Holyoke College; Kent State; and the Universities of Buffalo, Washington, Oregon, and Nebraska.

After graduation from college, Ruth taught art in the Mount Kisco, New York public schools. Subsequently, she was an Assistant Librarian, Slide and Photograph Collection, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. For over 20 years, she taught classes in printmaking, drawing, and design at the State University of New York (SUNY) Fredonia.

She was also a Juror for the American Film Festival of Educational Library Association, and served on the panel awarding grants for the New York State Council on the Arts. In recent years she was an active member of the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County.

Ruth received many awards for her artwork, including the Chautauqua Print Award, 22nd Annual Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art; the Best in Show Award, Erie Museum of Art’s Annual Spring Show; and the Graphic Award, Buffalo News Centennial Art Exhibition. A long-time member of the Buffalo Society of Artists, over the years she was awarded the Society’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, as well as the Joan Walton Primerano Award and the Laura Clary Memorial Award.

Following her wishes, there was no funeral or wake. A gathering of remembrance was held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions in Ruth Shokoff’s memory be made to the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Day Street, Fredonia, N.Y. 14063 (716) 679-0891.

Online condolences can be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by David J. Dengler, Larson-Timko Funeral Home.