WESTFIELD – 
Ruth McCarthy Minkus, 90, formerly of Crane Ave, Westfield, passed peacefully May 6, 2020. Her parents, Patrick and Hazel M. (Sullivan) McCarthy, built, owned and operated McCarthy’s Flower Shop on Main St. in West Springfield. Ruth turned the “first shovel” when her parents began construction. The family lived above the storefront. She spent her youth working in the family business. Ruth graduated from the MacDuffie School in Springfield, MA in 1947 and married Peter W Minkus that same year at St. Mary’s Church in Westfield. They were married 50 years. Peter deceased in 1997.
They had one daughter, Paulette A. Moates, who was deceased in Reston, VA in 2007. Ruth is survived by Paulette’s daughter – Dr. Amanda Moates of Frisco TX and her three children. She is survived by her first cousin, Kathleen “Bette” Sullivan, of Springfield, MA – who incidentally turned the “third shovel” when the flower shop was built Ruth is also survived by her loving niece, Agnes Minkus, of Boston, MA. Ruth was a life-long animal lover. After retirement she was active with the “West Springfield Senior Tappers” and loved entertaining with that group throughout the valley. In later years she lived with her friend, Lauren Wright, who took care of Ruth until Lauren’s sudden death in January of 2018. From that point on Attorney Martin O’Connell handled her affairs. With his help, Ruth relocated to Armbrook Village. In 2019 she moved to the Arbors of Westfield. In March of 2020, she became a resident of the Governors Center where she passed away due to complications of COVID-19.
Ruth will be interred with her late husband at the Veterans Cemetery in Agawam MA. No memorial services are planned. Many thanks to the caring staff at Armbrook Village, the Arbors and the Governors Center. Special thanks to home health care attendants Sheryl Lewis and Shawna Mazza for their loving care and support during her final year.
