Ruth Bailey

WATERVILLE -- Ruth Bailey, 84, of Mount Saint Joseph in Waterville, passed away on May 1, 2011, at Thayer hospital. She had lived previously in the Durban Apartments in Waterville.

She was born in Waterville on Sept. 8, 1926, the next to the youngest child of the late George and Helen (Hinkley) Mountfort. Ruth attended local schools and made a living as a homemaker.

She was a devout 72-year member of the Getchell Street Baptist Church having been baptized there on April 19, 1939. She enjoyed singing in the choir there and held several officer positions for the church's board of trustees. In her later years, she found joy in volunteering at the Muskie Center in Waterville. Ruth also enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, doing word searches and playing cards. She also enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She especially loved the island family picnics every summer.

Ruth will be remembered for her love of family and friends. She took many trips through the years, including more than one trip to Disney World with her family. She loved taking the train and anything that meant she was spending time with others. She was affectionately called "Boo Boo" by some of the family, a name that no one really knows how it started. She will be missed at the island family picnics.

The family would like to thank Mount Saint Joseph for the care they gave Ruth when she could no longer be in her own home. Although the choice to put her in other's care was hard, she felt at home with all the staff who cared for her.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Mary Harrell; and her son, William Bailey and wife Cindi. She also leaves siblings Myra Sinclair and the Rev. Richard Mountfort and his wife, Esther; along with nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Bailey; daughter Linda Bailey; stepmother Gerda Mountfort; sisters Eleanor Cole, Alice Forsythe and Ella Eastman; and brother Horace Mountfort.

In the words of Helen Steiner Rice, her favorite poet:

"Bless me, heavenly Father, forgive my erring ways, Grant me strength to serve thee, put purpose in my days... Give me understanding enough to make me kind, so I may judge all people with my heart and not my mind... And teach me to be patient in everything I do, Content to trust your wisdom and to follow after you... And help me when I falter and hear me when I pray, and receive me in thy kingdom to dwell with thee some day."

She has found her peace, and she is dwelling in the house of the Lord now.

Visitation will be held 9-11 a.m. Friday, May 6, at Getchell Street Baptist Church, with a funeral service at 11 a.m. followed by a burial at Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Muskie Center, 38 Gold St., Waterville, ME 04901.

A service of the Redington Funeral Home, 5 Park St., Waterville, ME 04901.