Notes |
From Scott Bill Hirst, correspondent.
Ruth Carolyn Bill, worked at the University of Rhode Islandin Dining Service for many years. She retired. Like allher brothers except Perry Eugene Bill, she has over fiftyyears of membership of North Stonington Grange No. 138, P.of H where she received the 7th degree. Her brothers whowere Grange members are James Allison, Edwin Chapman andFrank Babcock.
From Scott Bill Hirst, correspondent, note of August 16,2017
Ruth Bill Hirst
Obituary
Ruth Bill Hirst, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday,Aug. 11, 2016 at Golden Years Assisted Living in Westerly.She was the beloved wife of the late Robert Scott Hirst;former Postmaster of Ashaway, who predeceased her in Marchof 1994.
She was the daughter of the late Probate Judge, James BardBill and Harriet Elizabeth Congdon Bill, of Clarks Falls,Conn. Ruth was predeceased by her four older brothers,Perry Eugene Bill, Edwin Chapman Bill, James Allison Billand Frank Babcock Bill. She loved her brothers deeply.
Born in 1925 in Clarks Falls, Conn., she worked on thefamily poultry farm as a young girl. She was proud to be afarmer's daughter. She was fond of remembering a poem shehad for years, "The Farmer Feeds Them All."She graduated from Stonington High School in 1946 after thelocal North Stonington School she attended earlier hadburned down. Two days after graduation, Ruth went to workat the Ashaway Line and Twine until she started her family.She was the loving and proud mother of her two sons, ScottBill Hirst and James Robert Hirst, both of Ashaway. Sheeventually returned to work at the University of RhodeIsland in dining services once her children were grown.
Ruth loved opening up her home on Christmas Eve for herbrothers and families. She made Christmas, Christmas. Shewas a giving woman, who was always there for anyone. Shetook great care of her brothers, Frank and Perry, in theirfailing health in later years.
She was a lifetime member of the North Stonington Grange,joining in 1942. She received the highest degree in theGrange in 1948 known as the 7th Degree. A proud Grainger,she always had that "Grange Youth Feeling Down in HerHeart."
In her last years, Ruth was grateful for her visits withnephew, Len Bill and his wife, Nina, who brought herflowers and magazines. She also appreciated her visits withher sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Dean and her friend, NancyGreen.She spoke most glowingly of her niece, Marcia Wade, whomade it a point of taking her out to eat on Thursdays, andbringing her home for dinners, taking her for drives, hairappointments, and just to visit with her. She was alwaysthere and couldn't do enough for her aunt.
The family extends a special thanks to the staff at GoldenYears Assisted Living for their care.
Calling hours are respectively omitted. Services will beprivate. Donations in Ruth's memory may be made to GoldenYears Assisted Living, 118 High St., Westerly, R.I. 02891 [4]
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