ONEONTA – Ruth G. Allen, 80, who was active in Oneonta’s civic life, serving most recently on the city’s “Survive, Then Thrive” committee, formed to blunt the economic impact of the pandemic threat, passed away July 21, 2020.
Ruth, who previously lived in Brooklyn, was the retired administrative director for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of New York City’s outreach education programs. She was a lifelong educator and an advocate for the members of her local community on multiple issues.
ONEONTA – Ruth Allen, 80, a frequent fixture of Oneonta civic life and community boards, died this morning, Common Council Member John Rafter, Seventh Ward, announced this evening during the Common Council meeting.
She served on the Huntington Library Board and chaired the city’s Housing Task Force under Mayor Dick Miller, and most recently, she was a member of the Survive, Then Thrive task force.
Mayor Gary Herzig hugs Ruth Allen, life partner of Dennis Finn, following the Common Council vote to name the “Finn Terminal” at the Oneonta Municipal Airport. “Dennis was a true friend of the city,” said Herzig. “But the airport was his true passion. It’s an honor for us to be able to memorialize Dennis this way.” During Finn’s memorial service on Saturday, June 24, Mayor Herzig will read a proclamation and a memorial tree will be planted at the site. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
