Ruth Winifred (Gladue) Sinko

Ruth Winifred (Gladue) Sinko, beloved Mom, Grammy and Gigi passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with her family by her side surrounding her with their love and comfort.  Ruth was born in Norwich, CT on December 30, 1935, the daughter of the late Leo Gladue and Ruth Sabin (Brierley) and lived for most of her life in Taftville, CT.  Ruth married the love of her life, Steve, on June 22, 1957, at St. Joseph’s Church in Occum, CT. 

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Susan Rouleau and husband Richard of Beaverton, OR; son Michael Sinko and wife Barbara of Preston, CT; and son Stephen Sinko III and wife Paula of Salem, CT.  Her memory will live on in her cherished grandchildren, Kelly Sinko Steuber, Stephen Rouleau, Erica Plummer, Michael Rouleau, Amy Kelleher, Kara Sinko, Kayla Sinko and Ryan Rouleau and her adored great-granddaughters, Sophia, Lillian and Madeline.  Ruth is also survived by her much loved sisters, Leola Fish of Bozrah, CT and Oralee Winslow, of Reading, MA.  Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stephen Sinko Jr., and dearly loved sister Patricia Graves.

Ruth and Steve were devoted to each other for over 55 years and appreciated every moment with family and friends along with their travel adventures.  They enjoyed family vacations in New Hampshire and Lake George, winter stays in Florida, and trips to Hawaii, Spain and Morocco.  They also sailed on many cruises, traveling to Alaska, Mexico, the Panama Canal and multiple Caribbean islands with family and friends.

Nursing was one of Ruth’s greatest passions.  She graduated from the Backus Hospital School of Nursing in 1956 and was employed at Backus as a Registered Nurse for her entire career, primarily in the Emergency Room followed by a position as the first Nurse Manager of Same Day Surgery.

Ruth was devoted to her family and was happiest when spending time with loved ones.  Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday when family from near and far were all together with her.

Ruth was a lifelong parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Taftville.  In recent years, Ruth stayed active with the local branch of AARP, the Norwich Senior Center and the Backus Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association.  She enjoyed trips to Mohegan Sun for WNBA games and concerts and was always ready for a few hands of poker or bingo games with friends.  Visits with family and friends meant everything to her.  Ruthie’s hugs were legendary and will be deeply missed by all.  Her family is heartbroken but are comforted in knowing that she and Steve are reunited at last and are dancing the polka together in heaven.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Rd., Griswold, CT from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13th.  Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Taftville, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14th.  Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Boswell Ave, Norwich.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ruth to St. Vincent De Paul Place, 120 Cliff Street, Norwich, CT 06360.

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