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  Ruth M. Alwardt McVay left her earthly home on October 19, 2022, at the age of 89 for her eternal home. Ruth was born on July 13, 1933 in Darien New York. Ruth is the daughter of the late Everett Alwardt and the late Stella Post Alwardt and the wife of the late Albert McVay.

Ruth graduated from the Alexander Central School in 1956. She was employed by JJ Newberrys, for several years. She married the love of her life Albert McVay on March 23, 1957. She was a loving mom and grandmother to her children and filled the home with joy. Not only did Ruth love jokes and pranks but enlisted her family members to engage in these adventures. This was a shared trait among her and her siblings as well. She was a Member and a Sunday school teacher at West Bethany Baptist Church. Later in life she became an AWANA secretary and Sunday school helper at the Attica First Baptist Church. She was a 4-H leader for many years and enjoyed baking, gardening, and was an avid bird watcher. Ruth took a special interest in classic cars, loved taking trips, and vacations with her family, as well as friends.

Ruth is pre-deceased by her husband Albert, her sons Dennis and Lloyd, her siblings, Mildred (Harvey) Bartz, William, Harold (Mary), Keith (Diana), and Dean Alwardt.

She is survived by her children Denise McVay, Wendy (David) Parker, Bernard McVay, Sandra (Todd) Schrauger, Duane (Vickie) McVay several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at Marley Funeral Home, LLC., 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011. An 11:00AM Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at West Bethany Baptist Church, 10333 W. Bethany Road, East Bethany, NY 14054. She will be laid to rest in West Bethany Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alexander Fire Department, 10505 Main Street, Alexander, NY 14005. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC. 135 Main Street, Attica, New York 14011

Ethyl I. Sojda, age 84, of Creek Rd, Batavia, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 8th, 2022. Ethyl was born in Batavia as the only daughter of the late Vincent N. and Ruth M. Kirch. She was a life-long resident of Alexander, NY.

After graduating from Alexander Central School, she held various jobs until she married her late husband, John F. Sojda, Jr. in 1961 and raised three children. As a dedicated mother she could be seen braving any weather to watch her children’s sporting events. She returned to work in 1977 and held a number of positions with local companies over the following thirty years. In her last role she was a Loose Ends hostess managing the GCC cafeteria where many folks came to enjoy her kind and pleasant personality and her dedicated work ethic.

Though a long-time crocheter, later in life she became a serious quilter and active in the Batavia Museum Quilt Guild. She produced a number of quilts for family and friends that are still enjoyed daily.

For a number of years, she was also a volunteer with All Babies Cherished. It was not uncommon to see her with her knitting material creating baby hats for the regional hospital system. For many years she was an assistant to John Sojda, Jr. in his role as Alexander Town Justice. Part of her charm and grace was how resiliently and quietly she met life’s challenges—both her own and those of others who knew her.

Ethyl is survived by her sons John and Steve (Barb), her daughter Ann, five grandchildren; Lily Whisman, Jacob (Paige), Stephanie (Patrick) Guarino, Michelle (Andrew) James , and Angela (Martin) Pohl, great-grandchildren; Ezekiel Guarino, Emily and Eli James, Alex, and Maria Pohl. She was preceded by her brother Merlin Kirch and has 4 surviving brothers (Ralph, Arnold, Harold, and Myron), and many nieces and nephews.

Mass at St. Mary's in Batavia at 9:30am Saturday June 25th followed by a graveside service at West Bethany Cemetery. Lunch to follow at her home at

9926 Creek Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alexander Rescue Squad PO Box 336 Alexander, NY 14005 or Homecare & Hospice 29 Liberty St. Suite 6 Batavia, NY 14020. For more information please call (585) 591-1212 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.marleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Marley Funeral Home, LLC, 135 Main Street, Attica, NY 14011