07/14/2025
Ruth V. Rivers
December 16, 1928 ~ July 9, 2025 (age 96)
Ruth Virgina (Callahan) Rivers, age 96, beloved mother, grandmother, “GG” (great-grandmother) and aunt, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025 at her home in Middletown, New York after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
Ruth was the daughter of the late James Monroe and Amelia (Brownlee) Callahan. Born on December 16, 1928 in Due West, South Carolina, the Callahan family migrated to New York State and over the years Ruth (and her family) resided in Jamaica, Freeport, Amityville, Holtsville, Mount Hope and Middletown-Wallkill.
Throughout her life, Ruth was known for her kindness, generosity and strength. She had a remarkable affinity for people and truly knew no strangers; connecting effortlessly with everyone she met. With a welcoming smile, she opened her heart and home to many children – whether family, friends’ children, foster children or a foreign exchange student named Sandor from Budapest, Hungary – providing love, guidance and a safe place to grow.
For 27 years, Ruth dedicated her life to working with children, parents and families in the Western Orange County Head Start Program. Her Head Start journey started in August of 1976 as the “Social Services and Parent Involvement Coordinator.” She retired as the “Head Start Director” in September of 2003 under the leadership of Charles Darden, Executive Director of RECAP, the Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc.
Ruth was an avid book reader with romance novels being her main genre. She also LOVED good music (with her favorite artist being Whitney Houston), shopping, collecting Coach bags and American Eagle coins.
Over the years, Ruth’s spiritual strength was grounded as a member of First Baptist Church (Far Rockaway and Middletown), Hollywood Baptist Church (Amityville) and Otisville Mt. Hope Presbyterian Church (Otisville).
She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters Cheryl (James Sr.) Rivers-Jones and LaVella Simpson (“Cookie”); sons: Bernard (Diane) Rivers and Brian Weir; grandchildren: James Jones Jr., Jerome Manigault, Joseph (Caitlin) Rivers, Joshua Simpson, Ryan Guenste, Molly Jane Garcia and Tommy Garcia; great-grandchildren: Jacari Prince Jones, Jace Bernard Rivers and Aurora Ruth Rivers; and nephew and nieces: Worthy McCargo Jr (“Skipper”), Theresa Callahan-Hunter, Sandra Lambert-Watkins and Tracey (Kevin) Franklin.
She will also be remembered by special friends and extended family members: Christine DeFreese, Eloise Hickman, Evangelyn Ramsey, Mamie Fleetwood, Jackie Rivers, Charlene Walker and Tracy Crouse.
Ruth was preceded in death by her siblings: James Monroe Callahan, Jr., Sarah Matthews, Jeanette Pearl (Worthy) McCargo, Arthur (Joyce) Callahan and Sidney (Faye) Callahan; grandsons: Jordan Jones and Andrew Guenste (“Drew”); niece and nephew: Lynet Valero and Arthur James Callahan; former spouse: Nathaniel Rivers; co-worker and friend: Barbara VanCura; and beloved pets: Kenny, Cassius and Frenchie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to RECAP, 40 Smith Street, Middletown, NY 10940 or online at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7GKYQ5EG2NTNG. Please include in a note that the donation is in memory of Ruth Rivers.
The family will receive visitors on Thursday, July 17 from 5-8 p.m. at the Cornelius, Dodd and Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove Street, Middletown, NY 10940.
A homegoing service will be held on Friday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Otisville Mt Hope Presbyterian Church, 25 Main Street, Otisville, NY 10963. Friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate her life.
As a special tribute to her many years of service at RECAP/Western Orange County Head Start, former and current students and colleagues are also invited to the visitation and/or homegoing service.
Interment will take place on Saturday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, 2023 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735. The processional will form at the cemetery entrance.