Nancy H. Rue

Nancy H. Rue, 76, of Athens, Ohio passed away peacefully Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Riverside Methodist Hospital following a brief illness.  

She was born in Canton, Ohio, on June 14, 1946, the daughter of Marian P. and W. Donald Huffman.  She grew up in northeastern Ohio, but spent her adult life in Athens. She graduated from the College of Wooster in 1968 and received a Master’s degree in Library Science from Kent State University a year later.

Following her mother’s career path in librarianship, Nancy enjoyed a successful career as reference librarian at Ohio University’s Alden Library, receiving the Outstanding Administrator award in 1991. She retired as the Associate Dean for Public Service after 35 years of service to the University Libraries. Connecting people with information was her passion as a librarian.

She learned to play golf as a youngster, taught primarily by her father, and grew up on the family’s golf course in Austinburg, OH. She remained an avid golfer throughout her life. Nancy was the women’s champion at the Athens Country Club for more than 30 years and a six-time medalist in the Southeastern Ohio Women’s Golf Association tournament. An active member of the Country Club, she served as president of the Board of Trustees, president of the Women’s Golf Association, on various Club committees, and as the Club’s historian. 

Nancy was a generous benefactor to her alma maters, Wooster and Kent State, as well as to many local and national charitable organizations. She established a scholarship fund to honor her family, supported the Ohio University golf program, and local libraries. She enjoyed and appreciated her friends, especially those with whom she shared many happy times on the golf course and over card games or a glass of wine. Their support and love lifted her spirits through her final illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her best friend of over 40 years Connie Stanforth and her husband William. She is survived by her husband, Charles V. Rue, Jr., of Athens; and by her brother, Donald S. Huffman and his wife Joanna of Vero Beach, FL; nephews Andrew Huffman and Nathan Huffman, great niece Callie and great nephew James Huffman,  and her Stanforth family, Kirby and Will.

Nancy’s final message to the world is this: Be kind and love each other. Doing good for others out of love and kindness is the true purpose of our existence:

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.” (S. Grellet)

Tributes and remembrance gifts in Nancy’s memory may be directed to the Huffman Family Scholarship Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), P.O. Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764, or the Ohio University Libraries through The Ohio University Foundation, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH 45701, or (to benefit the Athens Public Library) the Betcher Memorial Endowment for Library Services, also c/o FAO in Nelsonville.

There will be a memorial gathering and celebration of Nancy’s life on Saturday, April 15, 2023, 3:00 PM at the Athens Country Club.

Arrangements are by Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home where You may send a message of sympathy to the family  at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.