Ruth S. Ryan
Steel saleswoman
Ruth S. Ryan, a saleswoman for U.S. Steel Supply Co. in Baltimore, died Friday of cancer at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The Towson resident was 81.
From 1945 to 1973, Mrs. Ryan worked in the sales department at U.S. Steel Supply Co. at 1600 Bush St. in Baltimore.
"To the best of my knowledge, she was the only woman in the sales department," said her son, John "Jack" Ryan of Baltimore, recalling that she sold "steel, raw steel, I-beams, construction steel."
Mr. Ryan said that his mother's presence in a male-dominated business caused some tension.
"There was a lot of resentment from the male workers, particularly guys who had been salesmen prior to the war. They came back, and this woman is selling steel by the ton," Mr. Ryan said. "As these guys progressed up the corporate ladder, they saw that they had a real jewel.
"She was courteous -- more than anybody else. And she was dead-honest with the customer," Mr. Ryan said.
"This woman had a remarkable mind, but she couldn't talk to her kids about it because none of us understood it. . . . That's what made her remarkable. You're talking about an eighth-grade education here."
Mrs. Ryan was born in Govans and was in the first class in 1921 to enter Blessed Sacrament Parochial School, 43rd Street and Old York Road in Govans. The school closed in 1972.
The former Miss Fields married John Ryan in 1931 and moved to Worcester, Mass.
When World War II began in 1941 for the United States, Mrs. Ryan worked at Worcester Steel and Wire Co. She started as a maintenance worker, then later worked as a telephone operator, before being promoted to the sales desk.
In the spring of 1945 she returned to Baltimore and began work at U.S. Steel Supply.
After retiring in 1973, she was a volunteer for Union Memorial Hospital.
A Mass of Christian burial was to be offered at 10 a.m. today at Immaculate Conception Church at 112 Ware Ave. in Towson.
In addition to her son, Mrs. Ryan is survived by a daughter, Ruth P. Hays of Baltimore; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Dorothy Gwendolyn Williams, who was a teacher at Holy Trinity School, died of emphysema Friday at Harbor Hospital Center after a long illness. She was 80.
The former Dorothy Daley was a lifelong resident of Baltimore, attending School No. 112, Douglass High School and Villa Julie College.
She taught at Holy Trinity for 17 years before retiring in 1974. She was a member of the sodality of Holy Trinity Church.
Mrs. Williams is survived by her husband of 53 years, Raymond M. Williams; two daughters, Linda T. Gibson of Glen Burnie and Vicki M. Daniel of Baltimore; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services were to be held at 9 a.m. today at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 7436 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. in Glen Burnie.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association of Maryland, 1840 York Road, Suite M., Timonium.
@
Esther M. Bush
Ferndale homemaker
Esther M. Bush, a Ferndale homemaker, died Friday of cancer at Harbor Hospital Center. She was 89.
Mrs. Bush lived in Ferndale for 61 years.
She became a member of the Navy Mothers Club No. 613 of Anne Arundel County in 1945. She was a member of Ferndale United Methodist Church and belonged to a senior citizens club.
Mrs. Bush enjoyed making afghans, crocheting items for babies and baking.
She was married for 70 years to Henry I. Bush, who died in February.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Singleton Funeral Home in Glen Burnie.
Mrs. Bush is survived by a daughter, Margaret Bush of Ferndale; two sons, Henry I. Bush Jr. of Essex and Robert W. Bush Sr. of Ferndale; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
The family has suggested memorial donations to the Ferndale United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 117 Ferndale Road, Glen Burnie 21061.
@
John C. Clauss
Walters security chief
John C. Clauss, who was active in civic affairs, died Sunday at the Stella Maris Hospice in Dulaney Valley of cancer. He was 81.
TO Mr. Clauss retired in 1985 from the Walters Art Gallery, where he was director of security. He joined the Walters in 1970. Before that, he was a baker for 25 years, working at various bakeries in Baltimore.
During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
After his return to Baltimore, he was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a commander of the Redwood Post and a district commander.
Mr. Clauss was active in community affairs in Southwest Baltimore, where he served as president of a community council.
He was married for 40 years to Florence M. Clauss, who died in 1984.
Mr. Clauss is survived by three sons, John C. Clauss Jr. of Kingsville, Texas; David F. Clauss and Paul J. Clauss, both of Baltimore; a daughter, Joan S. Clauss, of Baltimore; a sister, Mary R. Clauss of Baltimore; and two grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Jerome's Catholic Church, 776 W. Hamburg St. in Baltimore.