Ruth Grant

Ruth Marie O’Block Grant died peacefully on May 14, 2022, at the age of 90. Ruth was born on September 2, 1931, in Plum, Pennsylvania. In all aspects of her life, Ruth challenged the status quo and pushed past societal boundaries in order to make an impactful difference on the community she called home for nine decades. Ruth’s entrepreneurial spirit, determination and unapologetic wit took center stage in everything she did. A tireless advocate for inspiring tomorrow’s leaders and expanding access to education, she held many titles throughout her life – most important of which were Mother and Grandmother (or as she was known to her grandchildren, “Granna”). Ruth Grant distinguished herself as a highly successful businesswoman, education advocate and community force in Plum Borough and the Greater Pittsburgh area. Along with her long-time deceased husband, Louis A. Grant, Sr., she was Co-Founder and President of Louis A. Grant, Inc., a multi-million-dollar international corporation. Under Ruth’s leadership, the company grew from an idea between husband and wife to a major disruptor in the Steel and Aluminum Industry, providing innovative and operator safe solutions to customers around the globe. Ruth led the company for 54 years and solidified herself as a trailblazing titan in a still male-dominated industry; she shattered the proverbial “glass ceiling” long before it was in vogue. Ruth was also a highly regarded figure in the financial sector and served as the first female Board Member of People’s Bank of Unity and remained active on the Board of S&T Bank following the two institutions’ merger. As an active community leader in her hometown of Plum, she championed public service through numerous roles in local government agencies including Plum Water Authority, Plum Planning and Zoning commission and the Plum Library Board. Ruth also served on the St. Francis Hospital Board of Trustees. Ruth left an indelible mark on her beloved alma mater, Seton Hill University, where she served as a trustee of Seton Hill University for a total of 22 years and she was the immediate past chair of the Board of Trustees. To reflect her unequivocal commitment to mentorship and access to higher education, the Ruth O’Block Grant Endowed Scholarship was created to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. At the national level, Ruth served on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Committee on International Trade. In Pennsylvania, she served on the Governor’s Education Committee where she contributed to the formulation of public policy, key personnel selections and decisions to reduce costs while enhancing the Commonwealth’s education services. In recognition of her lifelong leadership and community service, Ruth received a number of recognitions throughout her life: Plum High School Distinguished Alumni Award, Carlow College’s Woman of Spirit Award and YWCA’s Tribute to Women Leadership Award. She is survived by her four children: Toni Grant Verstandig (Lee), Cindy Grant Pallatino, Ruth Ann Grant Wargofchik and Louis A. Grant, Jr., and seven grandchildren: John R. Wargofchik III, Andrew Wargofchik, Brady Wargofchik, Grant Verstandig, Brittany Grant, Louis Grant and Gaetano Grant. As per Ruth’s wishes, services will be private. Arrangements by the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020 wwwpantalone.com Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor. The family requests contributions be made to Seton Hill University’s Ruth O’Block Grant Endowed Scholarship Program.