RUTH WEERS DAVIS

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RUTH DAVIS Obituary

RUTH WEERS DAVIS SHELBURNE - Ruth Weers Davis, 83, of Shelburne, formerly of Northfield passed away on Nov. 15, 2010. The only child of Peter J. Weers and Florence Weers Goggin, she was born on April 20, 1927 in Melrose, Mass. She attended Vermont Junior College in Montpelier, graduating in 1948. It was there she met her husband, Ronald N. Davis, of Northfield, marrying him on Oct. 2, 1948. They lived in Northfield, raising five children while staying very active in their local community. Ruth was involved in starting the school hot lunch program and PTO, the local as well as the state Girl Scout program and served for seven years as a director of the VT Girl Scout Council. Ruth lost her husband Ronald in May, 1969, but continued to put her children through college and run Morse's Shopping Center clothing store until 1972. Ruth served two terms on the Northfield School Board. In 1974, Ruth began working in the Vermont College alumni office, moved on to the admissions program, and eventually became an Associate Director of Admissions at Norwich University until 1992. She loved working with prospective and enrolled students and their families, lending support when needed. Ruth served on the Norwich University Board of Fellows, Alumni Association Board, and the Partridge Society. In 1982, Ruth was the first woman appointed to the Board of Trustees at the Northfield Savings Bank, serving as a trustee for 15 years where she helped develop the Northfield Trust Group. After retirement, Ruth was a volunteer at the Fletcher Allen Hospital for many years. Ruth enjoyed sailing with her husband Ron, and she took pleasure in traveling. She took part in the Womanship Sailing program in the Caribbean and Greece, the Elderhostel program in numerous states, the Passport Club in Greece and Nova Scotia, and trips with or to visit her children. She also loved tennis and golf and was a member of a local bridge club. Summers were spent on Lake Champlain in South Hero and Ruth especially looked forward to family gatherings with her children and grandchildren. Ruth leaves five children and their families, Vernon Davis, his wife Kitty of New Bern, N.C. and his children Hilary, Lindsey and Stephen of Barre; Marie Davis Chilson, her husband Bob and their son Douglas of Northfield; Nancy Davis DiMasi, her husband Lou and their children Lou III, Andy, Molly, Ronny and Maggie of Burlington; Andrew Davis and his wife Janine of Mercersburg, Pa.; and Thomas Davis, his son Scott of Williamsburg, Va. and his daughter Allison of Annapolis, Md. An open house to celebrate Ruth's life and share stories with her family will be held in the Norwich University Milano Ball room in Northfield on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. The family requests no flowers. Donations in her memory may be sent to the Make a Wish Program of Vermont, 100 Dorset Street, Suite 14, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.

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Published by The Burlington Free Press on Nov. 17, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for RUTH DAVIS

4 Entries

Ted & Pam Franzeim/Chisholm

November 20, 2010

So sorry to learn of the passing of Ruth, she was indeed a special person and dear friend. we always admired her passion in whatever she was doing be it talking about her family, playing golf or tennis or her love of Norwich and her extended Norwich family. She always lit up when talking of the doings of her grandchildren. She was admired by so many and will be missed by us all.

Jacki Murphy

November 18, 2010

I'll add my admission memories of Ruth-as she was a smiling face I was always happy to find behind the Norwich table. I look back fondly on those trips for the NVCC referred to by Dave and Beth Cobb...a trip with Ruth would always be professional but fun. Like Kathy Segar I alway thought of Ruth as a contemporary and felt that she treated me as a colleague in all our interactions. After her retirement it was always fun to meet her in the stands of a hockey game...we talked way more than we watched. I'll always have fond memories of Ruth amd hope she is enjoying a drink with her old buddy Bill.

Kathy & Jim Segar

November 17, 2010

Dear Vern, Marie, Nancy, Tom, & Andy,
We are so sorry to learn from Marie today that Ruthie has died. We never thought of her as 30 years older than us, she was so youthful & loved life. The "Dynamic Duo " certainly had fun on the road over the years when we both we in Admissions!
She was so proud of all of you & your families. Many the memories of the good times help you through these days.
You are all in our thoughts & prayers.

Dave & Beth Cobb

November 17, 2010

Ruthie loved to travel with admissions folks from other colleges. In the early 1980's a group from the Burlington area colleges, Johnson State and Norwich would travel throughout New England, New York and New Jersey hosting slide shows for guidance counselors over a luncheon or breakfast.
Ruth was very proud of Norwich, and the wonderful facilities that the students enjoyed in Northfield. Her presentation included the line " And our students really enjoy the marvelous facilities on our campus".
Billy Kangas and I substituted a slide in the show that corresponded with Ruthie's line. We replaced the regular slide with one that showed the ice arena when the roof caved in under a heavy load of snow.
Ruth noticed the laughter from the audience, and turned to look at the screen. She was speechless for only a moment, and quickly recovered to finish her presentation.
A hearty laugh was had by all, and the story became part of the lore of the Northern Vermont College Consortium.
Ruth Davis remained a dear, dear friend until she left us for a better place. There's no question in our mind that she's looking down at her family and friends, trying to figure out how she can help them from her new and lofty position at the hand of God.

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