Individual Details

Ruth Marie Mower

( - 8 Nov 2012)

Events

Graduation	1926	Hartland Academy, Hartland, Somerset, Maine
Marriage	2 Apr 1927	Maine - Thomas D. Mills
Marriage	Jun 1947	Maine - Newton E. Smith
Death	8 Nov 2012	ischemic cardiomyopathy due to coronary artery disease and hypertension - home (27 E. Longrale Park), Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Cremation	12 Nov 2012	Pine Grove Crematorium, Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Obituary	14 Nov 2012	Bangor Daily News - Bangor, Penobscot, Maine
Burial		Village Cemetery, Saint Albans, Somerset, Maine

Families

Spouse

Newton E. Smith (1906 - 1993)

Spouse	Thomas D. Mills (1909 - 1971)
Child	James Wilfred Mills (1929 - 1953)
Child	Living

Father	Charles Eleazer Mower (1882 - 1969)
Mother	Hannah Ada Libby (1889 - 1966)
Sibling	Meridith Mower (1910 - 1981)

Notes

Obituary

BANGOR - Although we dared to hope she would live forever, on Thursday morning, Nov. 8, 2012, just one week shy of turning 105, our dear Ruth left this life. Ruth Marie Mower Smith was born Nov. 15, 1907, in St. Albans, the daughter of Charles and Ada Mower. She spent much of her childhood with her Grandmother Mower on the family farm. She attended Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield, and graduated salutatorian of her class at Hartland Academyin 1926. Ruth was a strong, independent woman equal to any task. She lived a simple, self-sufficient life that always included a vegetable garden and flowers. Any meal she made or dessert she baked was the best you have ever eaten. Some family favorites were her green beans, creamed corn, apple sauce, pickled beets, lemon sponge pie, grape nut pudding and gingerbread. Her house was always neat as a pin. She could chop kindling, put on storm windows, go under a car to tie up a broken muffler, knit any pattern and sew anything from party dresses to doll clothes. She was the wife and helpmate of her husband, Newton Smith, always at hand to lug the heaviest TVs in and out of his repair shop and accompany him over hill and dale on his house calls. In short, she was a true Yankee Renaissance lady. There was nothing she could not do. Ruth lived the first half of her life in St. Albans. She and Newton moved in 1962 to Palmyra, where they restored a beautiful farmhouse across the road from where Newton grew up. In 2000 she decided to downsize and moved to Longrale Park, Bangor, to be closer to family. She was always a good neighbor and made many lasting friendships in her long life. Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Newton Smith; her son, James W. Mills; her sister and brother-in-law, Meredith and Elmer Fisher; and her son-in-law, Roland MacLeod. She is survived by four generations; her daughter, Marilyn MacLeod; her granddaughter, Julie Hayes and her husband, Jim.; her grandson, James MacLeod and his wife, Rebecca; great-grandson, Iain Becker and his wife, Emily; great-granddaughters, Caroline and Alexandra MacLeod; and great-great-granddaughter, Lydia Becker. Other surviving family members include her cousin, Edwin Mower and his wife, Irene; niece, Mary Anderson; and nephew, Allen Fisher and his wife, Barb, and family. In keeping with her frugal and no-nonsense ways. Ruth requested no service, flowers or donations. However, the family would like to offer our deepest gratitude for the caring and kindness shown to Ruth in this last month by the staff at St. Joseph Hospital, St. Joseph Hospice and the caregivers of Loving Touch. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor.