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Obituary: Rita Jo Woodruff, 77, Copenhagen
Published: April 15, 2026
By: Provided by
Cleveland Funeral Home
Rita Jo 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
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