From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Ruth Donnelly May 17 1896 November 17 1982 was an American stage and film actress Her father was the mayor of Trenton New Jersey She began her stage career at the age of 17 in 1913 in The Quaker Girl Her Broadway debut brought her to the attention of George M Cohan who proceeded to cast her in numerous comicrelief roles in such musicals as Going Up 1917 Though she made her first film appearance in 1913 her Hollywood career began in earnest in 1931 and lasted until 1957 In her films she often played the wife of Guy Kibbee Footlight Parade Wonder Bar Mr Smith Goes to Washington Among her roles was the part of Sister Michael in The Bells of St Marys starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman