Ruth Iva (Gorham) Houghton

Kirby, VT: Ruth Iva Gorham Houghton passed away on December 15, 2025, at her home in Kirby, Vermont. She was 93 years old.

Ruth was born on July 17, 1932, the daughter of Densmore and Iva (Phillips) Gorham. She grew up on a dairy farm and attended Brookside School in Kirby. She graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1951.

On February 28, 1953, she married Walter “Joe” Houghton. They were married 62 years until his death in 2015. She spent her life as a homemaker on the farm they owned and operated in Kirby where she lived for 70 years.

Ruth was a devoted wife and mother and in later years she greatly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Rebecca Houghton, lived with and cared for her during her last 5 years.

She is survived by her children: Bruce Houghton and wife, Judy, of Lyndonville; Brian Houghton and wife, Vicki, of Kirby; and Robin Hartsock and husband, Gary, of Lyndonville; her sister, Sandra Berry, and sister-in-law, Fran Houghton, as well as her 18 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Walter “Joe” Houghton, sisters Phyllis Wood, Norma Garfield, and Suzanne Wood; and grandson, Ted Hartsock.

Friends may call on the family from 1-2PM, Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Guibord-Pearsons Funeral Home, 15 Main Street in Lyndonville. Services will immediately follow at 2PM.

Burial will take place at 2PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the north Kirby Cemetery in Kirby.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at guibordfh.com