Obituary: Ruth Anne Slicko

Ruth Anne Slicko, 84, passed away on Feb. 22, 2011. She was born on May 23, 1926, in Jersey City, NJ. She grew up in Calumet City, Ill., married A. Frank Slicko in 1943 and moved to Highland, Ind. Ruth graduated from Calumet College of St. Joseph in Hammond, Ind., in 1975 with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts. After graduation, Ruth worked as manager of clerical staff for the American Bureau of Shipping, Chicago District. During this time she pursued studies at the Art Institute of Chicago, eventually receiving a Master's Degree in Art History. Upon graduation in 1983, she arrived in Lodi, Calif., and began work for San Joaquin County Human Services until her retirement in 1989. In 2002, Ruth moved to Carson City.

Ruth is preceded in death by her husband A. Frank Slicko and parents Joseph and Damicela Rukenski. She is survived by her sons Richard (Sondra) of Hot Springs, Ark., and Thomas (Juliann) of Pekin, Ill.; daughter Mary Byington (Jerry) of Carson City; and granddaughters Amylee of Naples, Fla., and Alyssa of Hot Springs.

Ruth was an avid painter of all types, including oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting. She would passionately paint in her garage with the door wide open, drawing in many who would simply pass by knowing that Ruth was painting away and that they were welcome to come in and observe her beautiful work. She was definitely a walker who would go most places by means of her own two feet. It was not unlike Ruth to walk 2-3 miles a day, as well as the 3 miles to church.

Being a parishioner of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community, it is only fitting that her funeral Mass should be held there. A public visitation will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, and a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in the small chapel of the Church. Inurnment will be at St. Casimir's Catholic Cemetery in Chicago by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60629 (where Ruth had previously donated her own Lithuanian dance costume). Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.