Rita J. Woodruff

Rita Jo Woodruff, 77, of Main St, Copenhagen, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026 at the
home of her son, Steven, surrounded by family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cleveland Funeral Home, in Watertown, NY.

Rita was born on April 30, 1948 to Raymond and Mable (Sampson) Churchill of Burrville and
was educated in Watertown schools.

Rita married Lloyd G. Woodruff Jr. on March 25, 1966 at the Burrville Congressional Church.
They just celebrated their 60th Anniversary.

She is survived by her husband, Lloyd, her sons Steven (Laura) Woodruff of Philadelphia NY,
Wendell (Inga) Woodruff of Lowville NY and daughter Katrina (Mark) Souva of Copenhagen NY.
Her grandchildren Zakary (Abbie) Woodruff, Steven (Cassie) Woodruff, Anthony Woodruff,
Shelby (Katey) Woodruff, Alexandra (John) Woodruff , Tanner Souva, Cole Souva and Brynn
Souva. Great grandchildren Carter Woodruff, Jonah Woodruff and Gabriel Woodruff. Her sisters
Rebecca Churchill of Buskirk NY, Rhonda (Richard) Daniels of Eustis FL, Roxanne (Ed)
Mustizer of Sackets Harbor NY, Rae (Paul) Haynes of Canastota NY, brother Rolly (Vicky)
Churchill of Burrville NY, brother in law Dennis Taylor of Rodman NY, brothers in law Clarence
(Judy) Woodruff of Watertown NY, John (Gloria) Woodruff of Franklin KY, Benjamin (Patty)
Woodruff of Goodlettsville TN, and sister in law Sylvia (Henry) Bush of Theresa NY, many nieces
and nephews, and several cherished friends that became family including Prudence (Joseph)
Greene, Victoria (Dylan) Carroza, Gregory (Josephine) Kunert and Cassandra (Iskandar)
Kunert.

She is predeceased by her parents, her in laws Lloyd and Elizabeth Woodruff, her sister Rosey
Taylor, and sisters in law Donna Woodruff and Ann Woodruff.

She and Lloyd were dairy farmers and had many show quality Holsteins through the years.
Lloyd was especially proud of her 1978 Hoard's Dairyman Cow Judging Contest first place win
and being on the cover of the magazine. Rita became the Town of Denmark Justice in 1992
until 2002, when she became the Town of Denmark Town Clerk until her retirement in 2012. She
enjoyed performing marriage ceremonies. Her first marriage ceremony was for her parents
renewing their vows on their 50th anniversary and her last was for her grandson Steven's, back in September.

Rita was an avid quilter, stitching most of them all by hand and loved to gift them to family and
friends. She started thousands of plants from seeds for their farm stand on Main Street in their
retirement years. The family always requested her baked beans, lush, peanut butter fudge and
cinnamon rolls. She loved to travel with her family, bingo, puzzles, painting and spending time
with her family.

At her request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. A Celebration of Life will be on
June 6, 2026 at the Town of Watertown fire hall at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Lewis County Hospice or Jefferson County
Hospice. Our heartfelt thanks go to both organizations for their exceptional and compassionate
care.

Online condolences can be made at www.clevelandfhinc.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.