LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Ruth Genevieve Wiley upon the
occasion of celebrating her 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Genevieve Wiley was born on June 15, 1915, in Schenecta-
dy, New York, to William and Anna Olney; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from Watervliet High School in 1934, Ruth
Genevieve Wiley began working in the catalog department of Montgomery
Ward; and
WHEREAS, On an evening in 1945, while out with a friend, Ruth Gene-
vieve Wiley met a handsome young soldier, Abbott Wiley, home on leave
following the end of the Second World War; the date was September 27,
1945; just three weeks later, on October 20, 1945, the couple married at
the Third Avenue Methodist Church in Troy, New York, and will celebrate
their 70th Wedding Anniversary in the Fall of this year; and
WHEREAS, The loving couple settled in Valley Falls, New York, where
Abbott owned and operated Wiley Brothers Lumber Co., and Ruth raised
their three young children; a loving wife and doting mother, she devoted
herself to making a loving home for her family and truly cherished her
role as a homemaker; and
WHEREAS, An exceptional centenarian with a zest for life, Ruth Gene-
vieve Wiley has inspired and enhanced the lives of her family and
friends; she has experienced the incredible joys and sorrows character-
istic of and reserved for those with the stamina and courage to savor a
full life; and
WHEREAS, Ruth Genevieve Wiley has been an active member of the Valley
Falls Methodist Church since 1948; she served as the church treasurer
for 30 years, orchestrated all church suppers, and was responsible for
the church booth at the Schaghticoke Fair; and
WHEREAS, This beloved woman has enriched the lives of those around her
through her joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Abbott, and their
children, Lynn (Dennis), Carol and William (Sharon), as well as seven
grandchildren, Mark, Jennifer, William, Andrew, Melanie, Marina and
Bryan, and two great-grandchildren, Alex and Madeline, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Ruth Genevieve Wiley upon the occasion of her 100th Birth-
day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ruth Genevieve Wiley.