Ruth M. Pohto

Ruth Margaret (Shelby) Pohto, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, godmother, sister, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully, at home, on August 16, 2024, at the age of 92.  She was born a twin on 11/27/31 in Fairport Harbor and was a Mentor Resident for over 60 years.  She was proud of her Irish/Catholic heritage and was a longtime member of St. Bede the Venerable Church, with unwavering faith.    She loved children, as it was clearly evident throughout her life.  She not only loved and nurtured 10 children, 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren of her own, but she also cared/babysat for numerous other families and friends for decades.  

Words cannot portray what a wonderful person she truly was.  She was spiritual, self-sacrificing, kind, sympathetic, thoughtful, and generous, to a fault.  Even when things were tight at home, she was the first to take a dinner plate, groceries, or clothing, to someone less fortunate.  When she thought someone needed cheering up, or just wanted to show she cared, her blue-ribbon apple pie, banana bread, nut roll, or some other special treat would arrive.  She was a stay-at-home mom, but she had a work ethic like no other and devoted her life to her family.  Ruth enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, shopping and visiting friends. But what brought her the most joy was spending time with the love of her life, and husband of 69 years, Gerald.   They made a wonderful team, and their love for each other was evident in everything they did. Together they enjoyed dancing, going out to dinner, movies, morning coffee, anything to do with kids/grandkids; and as avid sports fans watching the Cleveland Indians, Browns, Cavs and Mentor Cardinals.  It was a life well lived and a wonderful journey for all who were included.  May God Bless Ruth for eternity.

She is survived by her spouse Gerald R. Pohto, children Roberta (Bobbi) Brown, Rebecca (Becky) White, Lorraine Mauk (Dennis), Jeannette Hamlett (Jack), Donna Mulqueeny (Jay), John Pohto (Jennifer), Gary Pohto, Ray Pohto (Shelly), Beth Garverick (Kelly), and Mike Pohto, 36 grand/great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law Nancy Ross. 

She is preceded in death by daughter Mary Ruth; parents Gilbert & Marion Shelby; siblings, Thomas Shelby (Irene), Janet Bates (Bennie), Twin Sister, Rosella Larko (Dan), Gibby Shelby (Ruby), Dorothy Otto (Kenny), In-laws Reuben & Irene Pohto and James Ross.

A visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Spear- Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Catholic Church, 242 North State Street, Painesville, to be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow at Painesville Evergreen Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P. O. Box 72101, Cleveland, Oh. 44192; Lake County Council on Aging (Meals on Wheels), 125 East Erie Street, Painesville; or St. Bede the Venerable Church, 9114 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor, Ohio. 

Arrangements have been made by Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home, www.spear-mulqueeny.com.

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