Ruth E. Gordon

Ruth Eileen Bridgette Ouellette Gordon

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ruth Gordon on Feb 16th surrounded by her family at home after a nearly two year courageous battle with ovarian cancer . Ruth was a beloved mother, aunt , sister in law and friend to many.

Ruth was born on Sept. 5th 1926 in Bridgeport, Ct. The daughter of Theresa O'Connor Ouellette and Albert H Ouellette. Ruth came to Maine at very young age and has remained a native ever since, she attended convent schools in the Eagle Lake area in northern Maine where she made her first communion and a devout catholic relationship with God was born and lasted a life time. Ruth and her family moved to Strong, Maine in her early teens and lived on a mountain farm for a few years, before moving to Anson, Maine in the late 30's, where her parents started and operated the iconic Maple Lane Dairy Farm for many years. Ruth returned to CT. for a brief period working in the factories to support the war effort. She returned to Maine to marry the love of her life Stanley R. Gordon on March 17th , 1946 after he was honorably discharged from the Army. From that moment on she was an active and valued member of the community until the day of her passing. Ruth and her beloved husband had five children of their own and also raised her niece and nephew as their own for many years. Ruth was a stay at home mom for a few years providing love and care for her husband and children . After a few years, she worked at local factories , making sure the care of her family was first and foremost. Ruth worked at Anson Stick Co. in Madison, ME for a few years, and also at Solon MFG in Solon, Me for many years. Her real passion was always in nursing and helping people. Even while working the other jobs she found time to work part time at Venziano's Nursing Home in Madison before becoming a full time nurse. Ruth stayed with Venziano's until it became Cedar Ridge on Madison ave. in Skowhegan and then to the present day facility on the Dr. Mann Rd. spanning many decades . She started the Patients Auxiliary raising money to buy personal items for the patients that no one else provided, she donated a lot of her personal time to help the many patients she cared for, providing care and compassion long before hospice was heard of. While employed with Cedar Ridge she became a pharmacologist and an accomplished physical therapist. She played an active roll in the patients activities bringing dignity and a sense of being to many patients. After Ruth's retirement from Cedar Ridge she provided personal nursing and care to her long time friend and former owner of Cedar Ridge Clair Venziano until her passing. Ruth then worked at Evelyn's Furniture, sometimes re-finishing furniture, helping with inventory, and helping customers. Eventually she spent the rest of her “working days” working part time for her family, so she could spend more time with her beloved husband and family as her husband's health begun to decline. Ruth had many hobbies that included painting and sketching landscapes, roller skating with her children, spending time a the coast with her husband and family. Ruth took flying lessons and completed several solo flights at the Norridgewock airport flying all over Maine. In her earlier years she enjoyed hunting and fishing as well. Ruth was a well known cook and always known for “feeding the family and friends”, never needing a reason to put on a feast. Ruth was a devout Catholic and a Member of the former Ladies of St. Anne at the Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Skowhegan. She was also an active member of the Daughters of Isabella in Skowhegan and then at St. Sebastian in Madison until her death. Ruth was also a active member of the choir in both Skowhegan and then Madison. Ruth ushered, managed and also acted in plays at Lakewood Theater in Madison.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents , her husband Stanley R. Gordon, her sons Stanley A. Gordon and wife Donna and Robert E Gordon and wife Merlene. Her infant grandson Stanley F. Gordon, her grandson Donald Gordon, Her brother Albert Ouellette and wife Betty, Her sister Theresa Clorus and husband Tony, her brother-in-law Eddie Gordon and sister-in-laws, Elsie, Bertha and Florence and nephew(son) Arthur Boisvert.

Ruth is survived by her daughters Sheila Kelly and husband Arthur of Skowhegan, Judith Greene and husband Reginald of Madison, her son Timothy Gordon and wife Sigrid of Madison, niece (daughter) Josephine Boisvert, Her grandchildren Kristy Haley and her husband Jay, Laurie Landry and husband Andy, Mike Gordon and wife Tammy, Timothy (TJ) Gordon and partner Melissa, Ruth Charest and partner Steve, Donna Hogan and husband Josh, David Greene and wife Ann, Benjamin Gordon and wife Beth, Maria Kelley and partner Donnie, Arthur S. Kelley III and partner Bonnie, Gretchen and Jody Smith , her nephew Bob Niemann and wife Rose, Sister in law Jackie Gordon, and nieces Cheryl, Sharon and Glennis. Many great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Many thanks go out to all involved in her care including her oncology doctor and team in Scarborough, all the Hospice team, friends and family and a special thanks to her great-grandson Matthew Haley for helping Nannie with “special” chores along the way.

Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2018 form 4:00-7:00 PM at Giberson Funeral Home 40 Maple Street Madison.A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 23, 2018 at 11:00 AM in St. Sebastian Church, Main Street Madison. Burial will be in St. Sebastian Cemetery in the Spring. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home, Madison. to send an online condolence to the family, please visit, www.gibersonfuneralhome.com.

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