Ruth O. BOYNTON

BOYNTON, Ruth O. Ruth (Offord) Boynton, 87, of Farmington, widow of Charles W. Boynton, died Monday (August 9, 2010) at home, surrounded by her family. Born in Columbus, OH, January 17, 1923, to Elsie (Stein) and Grayson Offord, she grew up in Columbus. She attended Ohio State University. During World War II, Ruth worked at the U.S. Army depot in Columbus, where she met Charlie, "the handsome new lieutenant." They married in May 1944 and eventually settled in Wethersfield, where they lived for 35 years. While raising their children, Ruth worked part-time with a Wethersfield antiques expert, then with a West Hartford interior designer. She also volunteered in historic building preservation in Old Wethersfield, particularly on the Solomon Welles House. Always a gardener, she loved her irises — which live on in her daughters' gardens. Upon retirement, Ruth and Charlie moved to Bayonet Point, FL, where they enjoyed activities with their many friends and visits from their children and grandchildren. In the summer they lived in the Catskills village of Stamford, NY. Avid golfers, they played at the Wethersfield Country Club, the Stamford (NY) Golf Club, and the Beacon Woods Golf Club. Following Charlie's passing, in 2004 Ruth returned to Connecticut to be closer to her family; she enjoyed life and her many friends at Chatfield in West Hartford. In recent months she lived at her daughter Deborah's home. Ruth's survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Don Von Steen of Sarasota, FL; three daughters: Nancy D. Boynton and Robert J. Lange of Simsbury, Deborah E. Boynton and John R. Stephenson of Farmington, and Patricia B. and Gary D. Meunier of Madison; a son, Daniel W. and Vanessa Boynton of Pinconning, MI; three grandchildren: Bethany W. Boynton of Burton, MI, Amanda A. (Boynton) and Jeremy Smith of Lehigh Acres, FL, and Colin B. Meunier of Newington; five great-grandchildren: Parker, Haylee, Grayson, Emily, and Benjamin; and many nieces and nephews. There are no calling hours; the family will hold a memorial celebration at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association hospice program, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070 (www.farmingtonvalleyvna.org).