Greenfield Center, NY - Ruth Jane Nowhitney Barss, of So. Greenfield Road, passed away Monday (March 29, 2010) at her residence. She was 79. Born on Dec. 17, 1930 in Ballston Spa, NY, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Verna (West) Nowhitney. A graduate of Ballston Spa High School, she married Robert Barss on June 23, 1951 and raised their family in Greenfield Center. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who was loved by all, Ruth loved to spend time with her grandchildren, sharing her love of the outdoors, animals and flowers with them. She was an avid gardener and spent many years as a caterer in the Saratoga community, serving many parties for the summer racing party crowd. She was especially known for her tasty and beautiful wedding cakes. Ruth touched the lives of many children throughout the years through 4-H, St. Josephs Church and Greenfield Elementary School, where she received an award for being a room mother for a span of 20 years. She continued her kindness at the Greenfield Elementary School by adopting baby chicks every spring and bringing the chicks back for visits so the children could see them grow. Many people in the area will remember Ruth and her familys Christmas tree farm. She loved greeting her customers, dressed as Santa Claus and handing out candy canes. She was also well known for the beautiful wreaths and Kissing Balls she created. After nurturing her own family, she continued her caring side by joining Wesley Nursing Home as a Certified Nursing Assistant. and retired from Wesley at the age of 75. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her precious grandson, Matthew Richards and her brother, George Nowhitney. Survivors include her loving husband of 59 years, Robert Barss; her seven children, Wanda (Mike) Richards and their children Chad (Casey) Richards, Jillian Richards; Ralph (Angela Beth) Barss and their children Rob and Chris; Walter (Lisa) Barss and their children Michael and Meghan; James (Louisa) Barss and their children Carrie and Corey (Kim); John (Megan Bast) and his children, Jeremy and Shane; David (Kathy) and their children Kyle and Kayla, all of the Greenfield area and Kate (Tim) Clark of Dallas, TX; three great grandchildren, Ava and Ryan Richards and Nathan Barss; her brother, Albert (Joan) Nowhitney and two sisters, Mary Pastore and Verna Heritage and many nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Wednesday (Mar. 31, 2010) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Funeral services will be conducted at 11am Thursday at the funeral home and burial will follow services at North Milton Cemetery, Route 29, North Milton, where she and her husband have been caretakers for many years. Following committal, the family wishes to extend an invitation to celebrate Ruths life at the Knights of Columbus Home, Route 29 at Pine Road, Saratoga Springs at 1pm Thursday. The Barss family would like to thank Ruth's caregivers, Kathy, Virginia, Alicia and the caring and compassionate staff of Hospice for the wonderful and kind care they provided to Ruth. Memorials may be made in her name to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.