MAUREEN ANN RUFTY

Maureen was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Alexander Kelly and Suzanne Kelly. Maureen attended and graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1984. While attending the University of Toledo in the College of Business, she worked as a waitress for the Original Pancake House and later for Le Peep Restaurants, where she met her husband, Greg Rufty in September of 1987 … they were married on June 24, 1988. After a short move to New Jersey, Maureen and Greg moved back to northwest Ohio, and she returned to the University of Toledo, switching majors to early childhood education, where she achieved her bachelor’s degree in 1995, while working full time as a floral designer for Emery’s Flowers. She began her career in teaching at St. Martin De Porres within the Toledo Catholic Diocese, as a kindergarten teacher, and later moved to Toledo Public Schools, where she was a part of the opening staff of Washington Kindergarten Center. While teaching fulltime for TPS, she earned her master’s degree in early childhood development in 2004. During her 24-plus year career with TPS as a kindergarten teacher, she also taught at Rosa Parks, Spring, East Broadway and her final home, Oakdale Elementary. Along the way, she met and worked with many wonderful ∏ staff members, many of whom she stayed in touch with through the years. At Oakdale Elementary, she developed relationships with this amazing staff and students who stood by her side as she fought her final battle with cancer over the last 11 months.

Maureen lived and breathed for her family. She was the calm in all of our storms, the light at the end of every tunnel, our cheerleader, our sounding board, the open-minded one, and most of all, the rock of our family. Her interests were wide and varied, from Snoopy to sharks, from Princess Diana to Eddie Van Halen, from beer or a glass of chardonnay to straight up Jameson Irish Whiskey, from baseball to apple pie (oh my, her apple pie), from Harry Potter to Baby Yoda, and from candles to her “Happy Place” on the coast of Maine.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, William F. Rufty Jr., and fur babies, Annie, Jasmine, Barron, Sammy, Rosie and Lucky. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, parents, Alexander and Suzanne Kelly; brother, Mark Kelly, and nephews, Cory and Corvian; sister, Michelle Kelly; mother-in-law, Sherry Rufty; sister-in-law, Jodie Rufty Graux (Angelique); step-son, Derek Grauel; daughter-in-law, Angie Grauel, and grandsons, Wylan and Hudson; best friend, Colleen Fisher (Kevin) and god-daughter, Chelsea; and her husband, Greg Rufty; daughter, Megan Rufty (Kyle Baker); son, Brendan Rufty, and her fur babies, Tegur and Fenway.

A Celebration of Life for all family and friends was held Sunday, February 27, from 3 to 7 p.m., at a private venue in Perrysburg.

Maureen received 58 units of blood during the last 11 months of her battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers or donations to charities, please consider donating blood in her name and memory.