Ruth Elizabeth Fortini

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, Ruth E. (St. Onge) Fortini of Charleston, SC, loving wife of Edward R. Fortini, passed away.

Ruth was born on July 20, 1956. She graduated from Needham High School, Class of 1974 and Colby Sawyer College, Class of 1976. On May 7, 1977, she married her high school sweetheart. Ruth grew up in Needham, MA, and summered in Chatham, MA.

After their marriage, Ruth and Ed lived in the greater Boston area until moving to St. Croix, USVI. From there, they moved to Charleston, SC, where Ruth was employed by The Medical University of South Carolina for close to 25 years.

Ruth had a passion for reading and learning new things. She was known for her friendliness, infectious smile, and her kind and compassionate spirit.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Ruth St. Onge; brother, Richard "Rick" St. Onge; stepsister, Jean (Crowley) Huebner; stepbrother, Stephen Crowley; and half-brother, William "Billy" Seskevich.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Edward; stepbrother, Kenneth Crowley (Julie Silk Crowley); half-sister, Eileen "Lee" Driscoll Dandan; half-sister, Heidi Saxe; numerous cousins; nephews; nieces; great-nephews; and great-nieces.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Friday, February 6, 2026 at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - West Ashley, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Old St. Andrew's Parish Church, 2604 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Ruth's life immediately following at Old St. Andrew's Gilchrest Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ruth's memory to Canine Companions For Independence.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.