Doris Ruth “Ruthie” Stevens, owner of Ruthie’s Diner, died at 92 on Saturday — nearly three weeks after the Ligonier Township restaurant was destroyed in a fire.
Stevens died in her home in Jenner, Somerset County, according to an obituary. She was born in Addison, also in Somerset County, in September 1933 to parents George and Elizabeth Burkholder.
Her husband, Fred, died in November. The couple was married for 72 years.
The diner, which sits on a more than 4-acre property along Route 30, has been owned by the Stevens family since 1986, according to Westmoreland County property tax records.
Ruthie Stevens inherited the restaurant from her late aunt, Ruth Clark, who rented the building to another family that ran it as a diner. It was called Burnsey’s Diner, according to an archivist at the Ligonier Public Library.
Ruthie’s Diner was known for its fresh baked pies and diner classics — including grilled ham and cheese and Reuben sandwiches, fried oysters, liver and onions and pork chops. Ruth Stevens used to make homemade candy to sell in the diner, such as peanut butter meltaways, chocolate-covered cherries and buttercrunch.
The diner was destroyed in a blaze Jan. 20. It was reported just minutes after the diner closed, according to Ruthie’s website. The fire last week was ruled accidental, starting in or near a cooking appliance in the kitchen, said state police fire marshal Trooper Chet Bell.
Ruthie Stevens graduated from Jenner-Boswell Joint High School in 1951, according to an obituary. She worked as a seamstress in sewing factories for a number of years before opening the diner. She enjoyed playing Scrabble, going to casinos with friends, bowling and making candy.
She is survived by sons Terry Stevens and wife Lisa, Craig Stevens and wife Sonja and Eric Stevens, as well as granddaughters Brandy Stevens and Cassey Stevens.
A memorial service at Hoffman Funeral Home has yet to be scheduled.
