Ruthe Boyea

BOYEA, Ruthe (Wright) Ruthe (Wright) Boyea, 89 of Plainville, wife of Douglas Boyea, passed away Friday, (December 7, 2007) at Brittany Farms Health Care Center. Born in Newton, MA, she lived in New Britain for 48 years, moving to Plainville in 2003. Ruthe graduated from Boston University, and received master's degrees from both CCSU and Trinity College. She began her professional career at the West Springfield YMCA and enlisted in the Navy during World War II as a 2nd Lt. Welfare and Training Officer in the WAVES. Following her service to our country, she taught at Lincoln School, and then at Vance and Stanley Schools as part of the School of Education of CCSU. She then became an Assistant Professor of English. In 1977, Ruthe became the administrator of the new Woman's Center, which was then named after her upon her retirement from the college in 1989. Following her retirement, she continued teaching part time at Tunxis Community College. Ruthe was a 50-year member of South Church, where she served as Moderator, Chair of Christian Education, and on the Board of Stewardship. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. Ruthe was always actively involved in the community. She was the President of the local branch of the American Association of University Women, where she also served as Vice President, and chair of the Committee on Women. She was also the Vice President of the state AAUW and was the New England Regional Director for the national AAUW. She was a Past President of the New Britain Chapter of the American Red Cross. She served as President of the League of Women Voters, was on the Board of Directors of Burritt Bank, and appointed to the Advisory Board for Cable TV. She was appointed to the Commission of Human Rights and Opportunities as well as being the first woman appointed to the Veteran's Commission in New Britain. She has received numerous awards and recognitions including most recently, the Outstanding Alumni Award, Boston University School of Theology, and the NAACP Community Service Award. She was selected to attend the International United Nations Conference on Women in 1975, 1980, and 1985. Besides her husband Doug, she leaves a son, Douglas Boyea, Jr. and his wife Gail of Pittsburgh, PA; a daughter, Ruthe Boiczyk and her husband Edward of Plainville; a sister, Carol Harrington of South Weymouth, MA; five grandchildren; Ericka Fangiullo and her husband Mark of Windsor; Mary Westkott and her husband Mark of Quaker Hill, CT; Katherine Boiczyk of Winsted; Keith Boyea of Arlington, VA; and Luke Boyea of Dallas, TX; two great grandsons, Eli Fangiullo and Noah Westkott; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, George Wright, and a sister, Laura Jordan. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 15th, 10 a.m. at South Church, 90 Main St., New Britain. Calling hours are Friday 4-8 p.m. at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain. Memorial donations may be made to the Ruthe Boyea Fellowship Fund, c/o The American Association of University Women, 1111 Sixteenth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 or to the Ruthe Boyea Scholarship Fund at CCSU, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT 06053. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at www.carlsonfuneralhome.com