Sandra Ferne Ruane

Sandra Fern (Wright) Ruane, age 76, of Seymour, Indiana passed away on February 8, 2021 at home surrounded by her family. Sandra was born January 22, 1945 to the late Wilson Myers Wright and the late Fern Louise Fitch Wright . Sandra will forever be remembered as a caring lady that would do anything for anyone, but was nobody’s pushover. Her love for family and her community started early with taking her children to sporting practices. She loved to shop, do ceramic art and was a huge Braves and Owls basketball fan. She was an amazing cook and the family will forever treasure the memories of her mac and cheese, coconut cream pie and homemade bread. She was a member of Cornerstone Community Church for over nine years and lived her life as a giver of her time, talents and resources.

Sandra married Frank X “Mike” Ruane on February 27, 1962 and together they raised five children. In 1970, they relocated to Jurupa Valley California. Although she quit High School to get married, she graduated twenty years later with her third son. Later she was elected Trustee of the Jurupa Valley Unified School District and also served as President of the Jurupa Valley Board of Education 1989-1991 (19K students). While President, she was awarded several honors, Board of Education President 1994-1995 Gold Gavel Award, Trustee of Van Buren Elementary School- National Blue Ribbon School 1993-1994 – Presented by President Bill Clinton, Plaque of Appreciation for having served as Chairman of Annual Christmas Party for Kids, Jurupa Chamber of Commerce 1992 and an Honorary Chapter FFA Degree – Jurupa Unified School District. She also served as Treasurer at Pedley Christian Church.

She was involved in community wide organizations serving as Board Member and Committee chairs for the Jurupa Chamber of Commerce, Lions Clubs in California and Indiana, Republican Precinct and Vice Precinct Committee Chairman, County Vice Chairman, Co-Chairman 1970 Indiana State Republican Convention as well as worked on many political campaigns.

Since relocating back to Seymour, Sandra has spent the last years as dedicated member of the Seymour Noon Lions Club and the Indiana Lions Foundation and Holding Corporation. Over the years she has received many honors, including being the first female President of the Seymour Noon Lions and the first female President of the Indiana Lions Foundation. She was also the Chairman for the W.P. Woods. Her other awards and honors included Melvin Jones Fellow – Lions Club International Foundation, Dr. William Perry Woods Fellowship Centennial Award, W.P. Woods Fellow Desk Plaque, Lion of the Year, Seymour Noon Lions 2007, 2008 – 2009, Lion of the Year District 25-E1 2009-2010, President’s Award, Seymour Noon Lions 2013-2014. Sandra also received Certificate of Appreciation for Region 3, Zone A Chair 10, Publication Relations Chair 2010 and for serving in Publications Relations of the Hoosier Lions 25-E1 Newspaper.

Sandra is survived by her husband Frank X “Mike: Ruane, her sons Frank (Becky) Ruane of Seymour, Mark Allen (Kathy) Ruane of Seymour and Greggory Scott (Kimberly) Ruane of Kokomo, Indiana. Her siblings Michael Dale Wright (Mary Beth) of Seymour, Sherry Amy of Tampa, Florida and Connie Jo Redford of Hope, Indiana. Sister-In-Law Thomasine Gruber and Brother-In-Law Richard Lee Wooldridge. 9 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Shelly Dawn Ruane and son Michael Steven Ruane, her sister Susan Kay Wright and Mother-In-Law Sarah Catherine Wooldridge.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Cornerstone Community Church in Seymour, Indiana. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, February 12, 2021 at the church with Rev. John Spivey officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Seymour Noon Lions Club in her honor.
For those that are unable to attend, memorial services will be live streamed on the Woodlawn Family Funeral Centre facebook page. Friends are invited to leave condolence messages for the family at www.woodlawnfamilyfuneral.com