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Sister Ruth Dowd, R.S.C.J., who served at Manhattanville College in Purchase for 47 years, died May 31 in Albany. She was 100.
Sister Ruth was at Manhattanville, 1982-2011 and 1949-1967, where she was dean of the graduate school, professor of philosophy and established the sports management business degree program. She was at Harlem Preparatory School, 1967-1970, where she was co-founder and vice principal. She also served at the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, 1972-1982, and in Brooklyn, Michigan and Connecticut.
Sister Ruth received the Women of Spirit Award from Manhattanville in 1999 and was recognized as a Woman of Conscience by the National Council of Women in 1972.
Born in Rochester, she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1940 and professed final vows in Rome in 1949.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Manhattanville College; and a master’s and doctorate, both in philosophy, from Fordham University, the Bronx. She received an honorary doctorate from Manhattanville in 2004 and was given the title of dean emerita by Manhattanville in recognition of her lifetime achievements and work.
A Funeral Mass was offered June 11 in the chapel at the Teresian House, Albany. Burial was in Kenwood Cemetery, Albany.
