Ruth Arbour

ST. CLOUD, Fla. -- Ruth (Pinkham) Arbour, 70, passed away Feb. 22, 2009, after a five-year battle with cancer.

Ruth was born in Gardiner, Maine, on Jan. 28, 1939. Her family then moved to Hallowell, Maine, when she was young. She started a family in Augusta, Maine, where she lived for most of her adult life. The last 15 years she resided in St. Cloud.

She is survived by her husband, Lionel Arbour; her son, Dexter Pinkham; stepson Butch Arbour and family; and stepdaughters Vickie Esancy, and family and Lisa Hyde and family. She also is survived by grandchildren Lindsey Pinkham, Justin Pinkham, Vernon Pinkham III, Lauren Pinkham and Zack Pinkham; along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a son, Vernon Pinkham.

Ruth's life was very busy in Augusta as a playground director for children and a matron in the Augusta Police Department. She loved to play softball, bowling with the girls and going to Reid State Park where you could see her sitting up on the rocks overlooking the beach. She also loved to sing and play her guitar and she stayed very busy directing Christmas shows at the Calumet Club.

In Saint Cloud, she formed a country and western group called "The Dixie Belles." They enjoyed entertaining at senior centers, nursing homes and many other functions.

Ruth also enjoyed working as volunteer at "Give Kids The World" and loved square dancing and line dancing.

In 2005, Ruth was crowned Queen Of St. Cloud.

A memorial service will took place on Friday, Feb. 27, at Fisks Funeral Home in St. Cloud.

There will be a memorial service in Maine at Staples Funeral Home, Gardiner, in the last week of May. Details will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Cornerstone Hospice at www.cornerstonehospice.org