Ruth M. (Leroi) Stanikmas, 69, of Worcester, formerly of Leicester passed away Sunday, March 4th, 2024, surrounded by the family she loved after a valiant battle with Cancer.

Ruth was born in Cranston, RI, the oldest of seven children of Andre M. and Ethel H. (Heffernan) Leroi. Raised and educated in Rhode Island, Ruth earned her associate degree in accounting from the former Dudley Hall School, in Worcester. She then went on to work for Raytheon, and Micro Networks before accepting a position as an Independent Auditor for the independent Insurance Agency before retiring.  Ruth has lived in Spencer, Leicester, Oxford, Whitinsville, and Worcester.

Ruth the matriarch and backbone of her family, remained devoted to them her entire life. She was a beautiful person who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, raising her family, organizing activities at the Colony Retirement Community, family dinners or just having them around her. In her early childhood, Ruth’s father passed away young, and needed to assist her mom in raising her six siblings. This gave her focus on life for later years.  Ruth genuinely believed that faith, family, and friends were the most important aspects in life, and always had room in her heart and home for everyone she met. She was very generous with her love, time, and resources, and helped anyone she could at any time. Her unwavering faith kept her grounded and helped her through life’s challenges. Ruth’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts but her loving and caring soul will not be forgotten.

She is survived by the “Love of her life “ for the past 48 years, Paul Stanikmas, Sr.; four children, Terry Stanikmas-Moore and her husband Rob of West Boylston, Joe Stanikmas of Worcester, Pamela Stanikmas-LaForce and her husband Paul of Thompson, Ct, Regina Clement and her husband Curtis of Worcester; thirteen grandchildren she cherished and so proud of, Erica Eldridge and her husband John, Emily Tretheway, Amber Tretheway and her husband Brandon Crochet, Elizabeth and Ashlynn Nickerson, Shane Stanikmas, Timothy Shayna and Brandon Gervais, Alyssa Maher, Jacob Stanikmas, Theresa Stanikmas-Moore and Jared Clement;  four great grandchildren,  Jack, Aaleyah, Ella and Ezra.   Ruth also leaves two brothers and two sisters, Raymond Leroi, Ronald Leroi, Laurie Bretto, Joy Maynard, and her husband Steven: Many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.  In addition to her parents, two brothers, David and Robert Leroi predeceased her.

A period of calling hours will be held Thursday, March 7th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral service will be held Friday, March 8th at 11 am in the funeral home. A burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Flowers may be sent, or memorial remembrances made to the Dana-Farber Cancer institute, 450 Brookline Ave,   Boston, MA