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Ruth Martin Obituary

Ruth A. Martin 1913 - 2011 SHAFTSBURY, VT Miss Ruth A. Martin, 97, formerly a resident of Westview Place in Shaftsbury, passed away peacefully Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at the Centers For Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington. Ruth was born at Camp Brook in Bethel on March 12, 1913, the only child of Walter E. and Eula C. Washburn Martin. She attended Camp Brook School, and entered Whitcomb High School in Bethel in 1927. Until the flood in November in 1927, she made the five mile trip daily (with horse and wagon) to Bethel with her father who worked for the telephone company. After the flood, the family moved to Bethel Village as the roads were impassable. After graduating from high school in 1931, she entered Castleton Normal School and graduated from the elementary education two-year course in 1933. Later she attended night classes, workshops, and summer school and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Castleton in 1955. In the fall of 1940, her family moved to Chelsea, where they lived until her father's death, and in 1950 she and her mother moved to Shaftsbury where she resided since that time. Ruth retired from teaching in 1978 after 44 years of faithful service; 16 of them were in Brookfield, Braintree, Tunbridge, Chelsea and Strafford. The last 28 years were in Shaftsbury. She loved the children and enjoyed teaching, so retirement did not come easy. Ruth had a very special friend whom she met in 1939 at summer school in Burlington, Mary Walker. Mary and her mother moved to Shaftsbury in the '50s and also lived at Westview Place. Ruth was Mary's caregiver for many years. In 1983, Ruth was instrumental in getting her college classmates reunited for their 50th reunion. Many friendships were renewed and during winters she spent in Florida with her classmate, Beatrice McWayne. Ruth loved to travel and had visited all the states and all towns in Vermont. She was a member of the 251 Club and was a Plus Member. She was a member of Chelsea Grange No. 362, Justin Morrill Pomona Grange, Vermont Historical Society, Shaftsbury Historical Society, Bennington Southwest Retired Teachers, Vermont Retired Teachers, Shaftsbury Methodist Church, Garden Club and was director and served as treasurer of the Mary Monroe Hawkins Memorial Library for many years. She is survived by several cousins and many friends and former students whom she loved and cherished dearly. FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside funeral services will be held in the spring in the family lot in Woodland Cemetery in Rochester, VT. A time of fellowship and visitation will be announced at a later date. If friends desire, memorial gifts may be made to the Mary Monroe Hawkins Memorial Library in Shaftsbury, VT, Shaftsbury Garden Club or North Shaftsbury Community Club, c/o Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home P.O. ox 957 Bennington, VT 05201. To send the family email condolences please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of HANSON-WALBRIDGE FUNERAL HOME 213 West Main Street Bennington, VT.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bennington Banner from Feb. 7 to Feb. 8, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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February 25, 2011

I had the pleasure of having "Miss Martin" for my first grade teacher. She was instrumental in developing my love of learning. I also had the privilege of having "Ruth" as a colleague when I began my teaching career at Shaftsbury Elementary School. She was an amazing woman, educator, and baker. No one will ever forget her feather bed rolls. She will be missed. Wanda Harwood Courcelle

Elizabeth Kingsbury

February 9, 2011

My condolences to the family. My mother was Ethel Kingsbury (maiden name Ford) of Rochester, VT. She knew Ruth and spoke very highly of her. I even visited Ruth a few years ago in Bennington because my mom was concerned about her. I enjoyed my visit alot. My mom has since passed and I know that Ruth is now with my mom and all her family. She is now at peace.

Jane White

February 8, 2011

Ruth was a very special lady and friend. She befriended me when I was 18 and away from home at Nursing school and was always glad to see me when I stopped in to see her when I moved back to Bennington later on. I will miss our visits and our chelsea connection.

Barbara (Sanders) Carpenter

February 8, 2011

I, like many other Shaftsbury residents had my initiation into grade school via Miss Martin. I remember the candy carousel that played happy birthday - we always celebrated every child's birthday in the class with a piece of candy each. Miss Martin, you were instrumental in the education of many Shaftsbury residents and you started me on a lifelong quest for learning; for that I am eternally grateful. Rest in Peace, Miss Martin.

February 8, 2011

Ruth was a remarkable woman. I have many fond memories of our time spent together. It was a privilege and an honor to be counted as her friend. For many years, I cleaned house for her (and Mary Walker) and every other week when I went, it turned out to be a blessing to me. She was more concerned for my family and the hardships we went through rather than her own problems. If one had the opportunity to talk with her for just a short time, they would never forget her nor would she forget them. She was a lady with a lot of spunk! When I visited Ruth last December, I don't think that she knew me. I pray that by holding her hand and giving her a kiss on the forehead that she would feel the love that I had for her as well as many others. She was a dear, dear lady.--Margot Roberts (Berlin, formerly Grafton, NY)

Phil/Marylou Young

February 8, 2011

Ruth had the beat of her own drum...She was a strong amzing independent woman...so fun to know!!

February 7, 2011

Ruth relected what it meant to be a real Green Mountain "gal" I loved hearing all her stories of the good old days, her pickles were great and her knack of knowing how to get the most out of each day the good Lord gave her...And she never missed sending a birthday or Christmas greeting card to her wide world of friends.
Mary Williams Rowland Midland Texas

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