Maryruth Shuflata

Maryruth Shuflata, 79, of Lyman, SC died on February 10, 2026, with her beloved husband, Michael Shuflata, by her side. They married in 1963 and so began a lifelong love story. Maryruth attended Danbury High School, in Danbury, CT and graduated from Escondido High School in Escondido, CA. She received her Associates Degree from Western Connecticut State University. Maryruth enjoyed a colorful employment history, leaving her indelible imprint on many roles across her lifetime. In the early 70s she was a Tupperware consultant, the remnants of which remain in the cabinets of her and her daughter’s homes. She went on to become a purchasing manager at Gordon Engineering, then later took on the role of Operating Manager for Candlewood Rollerworld, providing many years of epic enjoyment to her son Mark and daughter Michele, along with their friends and her many “rink kids”, who all thought she had the best job in the world – even though she quickly tired of “Rapper’s Delight” which was played on repeat, hourly, while all the skaters moved to the beat. After relocating to Florida in the late 80s, she chose to follow in the footsteps of her late Uncle Bradley Smith and became a professional photographer capturing both artistic and commercial imagery. She even tried her hand at real-estate for a spell, but ultimately found the most joy in helping others and was often a volunteer at myriad charitable organizations. Her deep desire to help others led her to become a self-employed Wellness Consultant for Nikken, and later for Lectro-Chi, where she performed hundreds of foot detox procedures 15 years before detoxing gained popularity. She was always way ahead of her time, and that remained true until her health declined and she retired in 2018. A lifelong Catholic, Maryruth became a member at Friendship Baptist Church of Lyman, after she and Michael moved to SC in 2007. Maryruth was also a member of Rotary International, she was on the Pasco County, Florida Committee of 100 and the Chairwoman of Existing Industry; she was a Member of the Pasco County Chamber of Commerce; and a Founding Director and Secretary for Paint Your Heart Out, Pasco. She served on the Pasco County Community Service Council, the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Club of Pasco County, as an Interact Advisor for Rotary Gulf High School in New Port Richey, FL and as a State Judge for Future Problem Solving Programs of America. She was also Rotary Representative of District 6950 for Interact Clubs and Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders. She was featured in Who’s Who in Connecticut Women in 1975 and was nominated for the Community Service Award of the Queen Chasco Fiesta for 6 straight years. She was the Ambassador of the Year for the New Port Richey Chamber of Commerce, and served as the President of Leadership Pasco for the Class of 1992-1993. In addition to her beloved husband, Michael George, Maryruth is survived by her son, Mark J. Shuflata and his daughter Kylie, her daughter Michele M. Totonis & her husband Tony, and their sons Christopher and Anthony. Maryruth was also the birth mother of and is survived by Mary Ann Adams, along with Mary Ann’s children Jessica, Catherine and Elizabeth. Maryruth is also survived by her youngest sibling, Agnes Kay Ward, her sister-in-law Elaine Ward, her nieces Denise Bregler and Shelley Ward, and nephew Anthony Morrissey, along with many great nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Maryruth was the daughter of the late John F. Ward and Thelma Evelyn Heinz Ward, and the middle of 5 siblings. Along with her parents, Maryruth is preceded in death by her brothers, John A. Ward, George F. Ward, and sister Thelma E. Ward; her maternal grandparents George and Bertha Heinz; her paternal grandparents Farrell and Clara Ward; her in-laws Michael and Bertha (Medar) Shuflata; her beloved favorite Aunt Ruth Heinz Carpenter; and her nephews Richard Ward, Christopher Ward, Danny Ward, and Richard Morrissey. A prayer service will be held on Saturday, February 28th at 1pm at the Friendship Baptist Church in Lyman, SC, officiated by family friend Pastor Steve Durham. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Danbury Connecticut at the convenience of the family, and a Celebration of Life will be held at Michele & Tony’s home in Connecticut, this summer. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.livingwatersfh.com

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Maryruth Shuflata

July 11, 1946 - February 10, 2026