Irene N. (Tarr) Ruffing, 93, of Bethel Park, PA passed away on April 11, 2026. She was born on November 13, 1932, the daughter of the late Francis Tarr and Agnes Tarr Theis and the stepdaughter of the late Harry Theis. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald J. Ruffing; loving mother to Dorene, Donald (Lynne) and Timothy; sister to Betty Resnik; and grandmother to Hayley, Matthew, Kevin, and Sean.<\/p>\n
Irene graduated from Brentwood High School in 1950. Days after graduation, she began working for Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) on a research project with physicists at the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Bruceton. In an era when women\u2019s employment and academic opportunities were limited, she was recruited for this position based on her high score on a math aptitude test. After this project ended, she worked at the YMCA of downtown Pittsburgh until the birth of her first child. She greatly enjoyed her work, her colleagues and her supervisors in both of these positions.<\/p>\n
Irene married Don Ruffing on August 14, 1954. After starting their family in 1959, together they owned and operated Ruffing Gulf Service in Dormont (later to become Ruffing Automotive) from 1962-1999, where she served as bookkeeper and secretary. This position allowed her to work from home and adjust her hours around the needs of her family. She was a wonderful partner to her husband and was praised by CPAs for her meticulous double-entry bookkeeping. The business is now run by their two sons.<\/p>\n
Family remained Irene\u2019s priority throughout her lifetime. Her children could not have asked for a more loving and caring mother, and her husband of 71 years often said she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Throughout her lifetime, she always put the needs of others above her own. She was known for her kindness to all, and others often commented on how she was one of the nicest people they had ever met. Her children have many fond memories of times spent at the Cloverleaf Campground and the family cottage along the Allegheny River near Tidioute, PA, as well as the beach vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Other special memories include the carnivals that Irene organized in the family\u2019s backyard while living in Overbrook to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She also served as a Girl Scout cookie mother and substitute Cub Scout den leader.<\/p>\n
Irene\u2019s hobbies included cooking, reading, enjoying the beauty of nature, birdwatching, learning about local history, and enthusiastically rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. She treasured time spent with her family, friends, and neighbors at her home and the family cottage. Irene was a member of First Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethel Park, PA.<\/p>\n
The family expresses gratitude for the special friendships that she shared with her Bethel Park Neighbors and for the loving and compassionate care provided by her caregivers at Paramount Senior Living and the medical staff at St. Clair Hospital.<\/p>\n
The family honored Irene\u2019s wishes for no visitation. A private family farewell was provided by Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care.<\/p>\n
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