Kay L. Ruff

Kay L. (Cummings) Ruff of Cromwell, loving wife of William G. Ruff Jr., passed away on December 2, 2023, after a long illness. Born on October 7, 1951, in Ipswich, MA, she was the daughter of the late Roland E. Cummings and Arlene (Blanchard) Cummings. Kay lived her early years in Wenham, MA before the family moved to Danvers, MA where she went to school until graduation from Danvers High School.

In 1969, she entered the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. It took five years as she paid for her education herself, but she graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. She made many friends in college, including Carol Cooke, the kind of friend we all wish we had. Kay had various jobs until 1979 when she went to work for the State of Connecticut as a psychiatric social worker at Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. There she met Stephanie Rohrer, another great friend. Kay remained at CVH until retiring in 2006.

In addition to her loving husband of 43 years, Kay is survived by her daughters Lindsey Ruff, Amy Ouimette, and granddaughter Evelyn Ouimette. Amy and Lindsey were a great source of support for William during this difficult time. She is also survived by her sister Carol Carter of Danvers, MA and her husband, Jim.

Kay was an outgoing, funny girl who could light up the whole house with her smile. She enjoyed playing board games with her children and playing tennis with her husband. Bill could not talk her out of being a Red Sox fan.

A special thanks to Joyce, Evan and Sonya Piacente, William's sister's family for their help and support during Kay's illness.

Family and friends are invited on Sunday, December 10 th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell. Per the family's request, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay's memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Boulevard, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489-1058. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.