Ruth Esther "Minnie" Mensing

Ruth "Minnie" Esther (Coiteux) Mensing, 89, of Bolton, beloved wife of the late Arthur "Art" Mensing, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, surrounded by the love of friends and family.

She was born Dec. 2, 1929, in Hartford and was the daughter of the late Alfred A. and Hattie H. (Gates) Coiteux. She moved to Bolton with Art in 1980. She worked for over 20 years at various divisions of United Technologies Corp. as an administrative assistant. After retiring from UTC, she obtained her bachelor's degree in social work from Manchester Community College, and then worked at the Visiting Nurse Association in Vernon for a number of years.

Ruth and Art were politically active in Bolton. They were members of the Bolton Married Couples Group and also contributed with volunteer work. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters they mentored a young lady throughout her teens. They both loved to ski and travel to places like Panama or Germany, but especially cherished their trip to Ireland. They supported the theater as members of the Bushnell, Goodspeed, and Cheney Hall. They enjoyed time on Bolton Lake sailing, canoeing, and throwing many cookouts with friends.

When Art passed away in 2006 Ruth was determined to grow, learn, and contribute despite her sorrow. She mentored friends, continued volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, learned to golf and to play guitar, all while in her late 70s and 80s! An avid reader, she loved her book club and knitting club and cherished the precious friendships that resulted. She was also a wonderful gardener and really enjoyed getting her hands in the dirt and making her yard look cheerful and bright. As a Red Sox and Patriots fan, she would be thrilled the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl! Fun, generous, quick to laugh and giggle, she was a joy and inspiration. As said by close friends, "Ruth loved life and lived it on her own terms!"

She is survived by her cousins, Janice and Mandy McMahon of Newport, New Hampshire, Robert and Kathy Call of Spokane, Washington; niece, Diane Dow and her husband, Jeffery Williams, of Agawam, Massachusetts; nephew, Robert Coiteux II, his wife, Tammy, and their children, Grace and Robert III, of San Antonio, Texas; great-niece, Kelli Hickey, her husband, Matthew, and their son, Jameson (her delight), of Coventry; great-nephew, Patrick O'Brien, his wife, Kathryn, and their daughter, Lyla, of Belchertown, Massachusetts; her companion "rescue" dog, Harry Potter; her helpful, devoted neighbors, John Belli and his wife, Diane; many other extended family members; and a number of close friends who were more like family, including Nina Romanenko and her husband, Mike Harrison, Kent Aldrich, and Marcy Nadolny and her husband, Joe. In addition to her husband of 28 years, Ruth was predeceased by her brother, Robert; sister, Evelyn; as well as many dear friends.

A time of visitation for Ruth will be held Saturday, Jan. 26, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11 a.m. at St. Maurice Church, 32 Hebron Road, Bolton. Burial will follow in Bolton Center Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Ruth's name may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

To leave an online message of condolence for her family visit

www.holmeswatkins.com