Ruth Skirbst, lauded as the community’s “go to” person, was named the 2024 Mary Louise Christine Outstanding Senior Citizen of Warren County as the county celebrated Older Americans Month.

Skirbst and her fellow nominees were honored at the annual luncheon presented by the Warren County Aging Services Advisory Council and the county Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging & Disability Services, held at Harkers Hollow Golf Club.

Warren County Commissioners Lori Ciesla and Jason J. Sarnoski presented a proclamation for Older Americans Month that urged all county residents to take time to recognize and celebrate our older residents as powerful and vital citizens who greatly contribute to this community.

They then highlighted the achievements of all the nominees – Skirbst as well as Candy Church of Allamuchy, Martin Connor of Frelinghuysen, Jim Ferguson of Phillipsburg, Paul Williams of Harmony and William Wintermute of Harmony – before announcing Skirbst as the recipient of the Outstanding Senior honor.

The award has been given since 1984 but was renamed in 2007 for Mary Louise Christine shortly before the 85-year-old community activist from Washington Township passed away. Nominations are accepted in the Spring each year for the award.

In nominating Skirbst, her friend Rhonda Olswfski described her as “active, outgoing, and a friend to everyone she meets,” adding, “Her dedication to others has, and is, helping many in need and encourages others to follow her lead in supporting the community.”

Skirbst is active with Harmony Presbyterian Church organizing events, food collections for the needy, holiday food baskets, rummage collections and sales, and gaining recognition for gravesites currently hidden under a building addition. She was a main organizer for the bell choir, has served as a deacon, worked to get the elevator installed so everyone can attend services, and remains active in the ongoing projects and leads the way in welcoming guests and encouraging new members.

Ruth and her late husband, Henry, founded the Harmony Township Historical Society and were instrumental in the preservation and renovation of the Van Nest Hoff Vanatta Farmstead, located along Route 519 in Harmony. She also has worked on Wreaths Across America to decorate the graves of veterans, and supports local homeless veterans by hand making lap robes for the residents of the veteran’s local shelter.