By Deborah Larsen
Ruth Catherine Schonschack
Ruth Catherine Schonschack was born in Macomb County, Michigan, on October 7, 1914, the daughter of Fredrick and Verona Miller Schonschack. Ruth graduated from Mount Clemens High School and completed her nursing training at St. Joseph School of Nursing in Mount Clemens. She was a nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit before accepting a position as a nurse at National Twist Drill & Tool Company in Avon Township.
In May 1945, Ruth enlisted in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, and after training at Great Lakes, Illinois, was stationed Corona Naval Hospital in California.
After the war, Ruth married career Marine chief warrant officer Raymond Smith. When her husband concluded his military career in Memphis, Tennessee, the couple moved their family to San Diego, California. There Ruth founded City Beautiful of San Diego, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promoted civic pride and beautification.
Ruth Catherine Schonschack Smith died at age 80 on January 15, 1995, and was laid to rest in San Diego, California.