Ruthann M. Scheffer (nee Batchie) passed away on October 9, 2025, at the age of 88. Ruthann was born to Joseph M. Batchie and Mary F. Batchie (Moccia) at White Plains Hospital.
Ruthann is survived by her four loving and devoted sons George Zanis Jr. (Ramsey NJ), Paul Zanis (Julianne, Pleasantville, NY), Matt Zanis Sr. (Helen, Margate FL), Joseph Zanis (Poughkeepsie, NY), stepdaughter Valerie Wiebke (Scheffer), and her husband, Kurt Wiebke.
Also surviving Ruthann are her brother Jack Batchie (Escondido, CA), her sister Rosemary Spicuzza (South River, NJ), seven cherished grandchildren who adored their ‘Grandmopps,’ and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Ruthann is predeceased by George Zanis Sr, James ‘Bud’ Cox, and Arthur Scheffer, Jr.
Ruthann graduated from White Plains High School and The Katherine Gibbs School in New York City. She later married George Zanis Sr., and they first resided in White Plains, NY, then Shelburne, VT, while their four children were small.
Ruthann worked at many administrative and executive assistant occupations, beginning with The Foundation of Thanatology, founded by Dr. Austin Kutscher.
She later worked for IBM Corporation in the 1970’s and 1980’s, then again in the late 1990’s, and finally for law offices in White Plains, NY, before retiring.
In her later years, Ruthann wrote a weekly column for The Somers Record in which she spun charming, funny and endearing stories to her many fans about her adventures as a child, as well as those of her children, grandchildren and her many dear friends.
Ruthann was devoted to her family and friends, and she welcomed any friend of her children into her home as a family member. More than one friend had remarked “your mom’s eyes always smile when she says hello to me.”
She will be dearly missed, but will leave all of her family and friends with many cherished memories.
Services will be held at the McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home, with visitation on Tuesday October 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral service is at the Funeral Home on Wednesday October 15, at 10 a.m.
