Margaret Ruth Lepes

Margaret Ruth Lepes, wife of John A. Lepes Jr., of North Sutton, N.H., and Sedona, Ariz., died Monday, Oct. 14, 2013, at the age of 74 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mrs. Lepes, who was born in Weymouth, Mass., on Dec. 16, 1938, was one of four children. She was the daughter of Margaret and Benjamin Zeoli. Ruth was raised in New Jersey and graduated from Newton High School in 1957. It is there that she met her husband. They just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in August.

After raising her five children, Ruth found her calling working with the nuns at the Congregation of Notre Dame in Ridgefield. She gained much satisfaction from her work there and in turn developed special friendships.

Upon retirement, the couple enjoyed homes in both Sedona, Ariz., and North Sutton, N.H. Ruth spent her time doing volunteer work at a local hospital in New Hampshire, as well as at the Humane Society of Sedona where they adopted their beloved dog, Bear. She was a talented knitter and also loved to create beautiful cross stitch pieces that are cherished by her family.

In addition to her husband, Ruth is survived by her five children, spouses and grandchildren; Joann and Joe Mulvaney, of Ridgefield, Conn., and their children, Sarah, Andrew, Matthew and Owen; Lynda and Bill Miller, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and their children, Erin and Adam; John B. Lepes and Kathy McNeil, of Flanders, and their children, John and Rachel; Jason Lepes, of Chandler, Ariz.; Lisa and Scott Puleo, of Marblehead, Mass., and their children, William, Wesley and Vivienne. She also is survived by her brothers, Robert Zeoli, of Weaverville, N.C., George Zeoli, of Delaware, Ohio, and her sister, Isabel Mayer, of Sparta, along with seven nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at the Baleville Congregational Church, 6 Church Road, Hampton, on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Baleville Congregational Church, 6 Church Road, Newton, NJ 07860; or The Humane Society of Sedona, 2115 Shelby Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336.