Ruthie Mae Slachta (born Currier) passed away peacefully at home with family on May 22, 2025, at the age of 95 in Sarasota, Florida.

Ruthie was born on November 5, 1929, in Lansing, Michigan. During Ruthie’s high school years she worked as a hostess in the New Hut Steak House where she met several celebrities and politicians of the time. She met the love of her life, William Slachta, on a blind date in Lansing, and they were married in 1949.

Ruthie and William lived in many destinations across the United States and she especially cherished her time living in England. While in England, she received an invitation from the Queen to attend an afternoon garden party at Buckingham Palace. Ruthie was a frequent traveler, visiting much of the US, England, Scotland, France, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Costa Rica, and Panama, just to name a few. 

Ruthie had a keen interest in genealogy, spending countless hours researching and documenting her family history which she traced back to royal lineages in both the British and French monarchies. She was also a skilled seamstress, making beautiful and detailed clothing for herself and her loved ones. Ruthie was an avid tennis player into her 80’s and a top-tier bridge player, serving as the Women’s Bridge Chairman at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club in New York. Ruthie also enjoyed golf and volunteering with the Vivian Society and others throughout the years. During her time in England you could find her antiquing and later in life spent weekends finding all the local yard sales.

She was predeceased by her mother, Viola Mae, her father, John Currier, and her husband of 71 years, William J Slachta.

Ruthie is survived by her children, Penny (Jim), William Jr. (Carol), Mark (Vanessa), and Terry (Kim). She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, who she greatly loved and adored. Family was a central and important part of Ruthie’s life.