Ruth E. Kitchens

Ruth E. Kitchens (nee Kaminsky) 85 of Groton, passed away at her home on Tuesday night December 21, 2021. Ruth was born November 23, 1936, in Groton to Louis Kaminsky and Mary Schmidt Kaminsky.

A life-long resident of Groton, she is survived by her husband of 68 years Billy Kitchens. Ruth was a woman of strength, fortitude and resource. While she did work outside the home, her focus was the family. She and Billy raised three boys together – John of Groton, David of Providence and Billy of Loudon NH. They passed to them the gifts of hard work, self-reliance and the insatiable desire to achieve.

Ruth lived a rich life where family and friends were always welcomed to the table and the home. As her children left home, she fell in step with the four seasons of Southern New England. Welcoming spring with new varieties of flowers and vegetables for the gardens; Cut flowers and fresh produce for the summer; Freezing and canning for the fall; The quiet time indoors and the holidays of winter.

She was born on a small farm holding in Groton and grew up with the privations of the Depression and WWII. Like the rest of America, she exploded with vigor and energy during the 50s and 60s when she met and married Billy. From this, reminding her children that no matter how good things are, times can get tough.

Ruth battled with health issues for nearly four decades. Beating them all until her physical self finally gave out. Until the end she never gave up on life.

From her family of eight, she is survived by her older brother Jack of Maryland. She will be remembered by her immediate family on Christmas Day and at an open event in May at the family home on a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Ruth’s memory to your local ASPCA. In her final days, Ruth was comforted and cared for by many selfless workers of our care industry. They deserve a hearty thanks whenever you meet them.